Sensing and communications unit for optically switchable window systems

ABSTRACT

A high-speed data communications network in or on a building includes a plurality of trunk line segments serially coupled to each other by a plurality of passive circuits configured to deliver signals to, and to receive signals from, one or more devices on, in, or outside the building, wherein the signals comprise data having a greater than 1 Gpbs transmission rate.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

An Application Data Sheet is filed concurrently with this specificationas part of the present application. Each application that the presentapplication claims benefit of or priority to as identified in theconcurrently filed Application Data Sheet is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety and for all purposes.

FIELD

The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to systems ofoptically switchable windows and more particularly to communication andsensing techniques associated with the optically switchable windows.

BACKGROUND

Optically switchable windows, sometimes referred to as “smart windows,”exhibit a controllable and reversible change in an optical property whenappropriately stimulated by, for example, a voltage change. The opticalproperty is typically color, transmittance, absorbance, and/orreflectance. Electrochromic (EC) devices are sometimes used in opticallyswitchable windows. One well-known electrochromic material, for example,is tungsten oxide (WO₃). Tungsten oxide is a cathodic electrochromicmaterial in which a coloration transition, transparent to blue, occursby electrochemical reduction.

Electrically switchable windows, sometimes referred to as “smartwindows”, whether electrochromic or otherwise, may be used in buildingsto control transmission of solar energy. Switchable windows may bemanually or automatically tinted and cleared to reduce energyconsumption, by heating, air conditioning and/or lighting systems, whilemaintaining occupant comfort.

Electrochromic materials may be incorporated into, for example, windowsfor home, commercial and other uses as thin film coatings on the windowglass. A small voltage applied to an electrochromic device of the windowwill cause them to darken; reversing the voltage polarity causes them tolighten. This capability allows control of the amount of light thatpasses through the windows, and presents an opportunity forelectrochromic windows to be used as energy-saving devices.

While electrochromic devices, and particularly electrochromic windows,are finding acceptance in building designs and construction, they havenot begun to realize their full commercial potential.

SUMMARY

According to some embodiments, a high-speed data communications networkin or on a building includes a plurality of trunk line segments seriallycoupled to each other by a plurality of passive circuits configured todeliver signals to, and to receive signals from, one or more devices on,in, or outside the building, wherein the signals comprise data having agreater than 1 Gpbs transmission rate.

In some examples, the trunk line segments may include coaxial cables. Insome examples, the trunk line segments may include a twisted pair ofconductors.

In some examples, the passive circuit may be configured as a bias T. Insome examples, the bias T may include an inductor and a capacitor.

In some examples, the passive circuit may be configured as a directionalcoupler.

In some examples, each passive circuit may include a first conductorhaving two ends, each end configured to couple to one of the trunk linesegments. In some examples, the passive circuit may include a secondconductor disposed adjacent and apart from the first conductor. In someexamples, the first and second conductors may be spaced apart in aparallel relationship.

In some examples, at least one of the passive circuits may be configuredto deliver signals via inductive coupling.

According to some implementations, a method of installing a high-speeddata communications network in, or on, a building includes providing aplurality of trunk line segments, providing one or more circuit, andforming the network by coupling the trunk line segments to the one ormore circuit to form a daisy chain trunk line topology, wherein theplurality of trunk line segments comprise coaxial cables, and whereinthe one or more circuit is configured to deliver signals to, and toreceive signals from, one or more device on, in, or outside thebuilding.

In some examples, the one or more devices may include windows. In someexamples, the one or more device may include a controller configured tocontrol functions of at least one of the windows.

In some examples, the one or more device may include a device selectedfrom the group consisting of an Internet of Things (IoT) device, awireless device, a sensor, an antenna, a 5G device, a mmWave device, amicrophone, a speaker, and a microprocessor. In some examples, themethod may further include installing the one or more devices in, or on,a structural element of the building.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include an inductor and acapacitor.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include an antenna. Insome examples, the antenna may include a 5G antenna.

In some examples, one or more circuit may include one or moreconnectors. In some examples, the connector may include an RF connector.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include two or moreconnectors.

In some examples, the signals may include data having a greater than 1Gpbs transmission rate.

In some examples, the signals may include power signals. In someexamples, the power signals may include CLASS 2 power signals.

In some examples, the signals may include TCP/IP data and power signals.

In some examples, the daisy chain topology may be coupled to a buildingmanagement control panel.

In some examples, the signals may include wireless data.

In some examples, the method may further include a step of installing atleast one window in the building. In some examples, the at least onewindow may include an optically switchable window.

In some examples, the at least one window may include an electrochromicwindow. In some examples, the step of installing at least one window maybe performed after forming the network.

In some examples, at least a portion of the trunk line may be installedin, or on, an exterior wall of the building. In some examples, the oneor more devices may include an antenna and/or repeater. In someexamples, at least one of the one or more devices may be installed in,or on, a window of the building. In some examples, the window mayinclude a digital display screen.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include a directionalcoupler.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include a bias T circuit.

In some examples, forming the network may be performed duringconstruction of the building. In some examples, forming the network mayinclude coupling the circuits to windows of the building.

According some embodiments, a high-speed data communications network inor on a building includes a plurality of trunk line segments and one ormore circuit, wherein the trunk line segments are coupled by the one ormore circuit to form a daisy chain trunk line configuration, wherein theplurality of segments comprise coaxial cables, and wherein the one ormore circuits are configured to deliver signals to, and to receivesignals from, one or more device on, in, or outside the building.

In some examples, the one or more devices may include a window. In someexamples, the one or more devices may include a controller configured tocontrol functions of the window.

In some examples, the one or more device may be selected from the groupconsisting of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wireless devices,sensors, antennas, 5G devices, microphones, microprocessors, andspeakers. In some examples, the one or more device may be is in, or on,a structure of the building.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include an inductor and acapacitor.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include an antenna. Insome examples, the antenna may be a 5G antenna.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include two or moreconnectors. In some examples, the two or more connectors may beconfigured to be fastened to a coaxial cable and to a pair ofconductors. In some examples, the connectors may include an RFconnector. In some examples, the connectors may include a terminalblock.

In some examples, the signals may include data having a greater than 1Gpbs transmission rate.

In some examples, the signals may include power signals. In someexamples, the power signals include CLASS 2 power signals.

In some examples, the signals may include TCP/IP data and power signals.

In some examples, the signals may include 5G signals.

In some examples, the signals may include wireless data.

In some examples, the one or more devices may include an opticallyswitchable window. In some examples, the optically switchable window mayinclude an electrochromic window. In some examples, the opticallyswitchable window may include, a digital display technology.

In some examples, at least a portion of the trunk line may be isinstalled in or on an exterior wall of the building.

In some examples, the one or more devices may include a transceiver,antenna and/or repeater, and wherein the one or more device is installedin, or on, an exterior structure of the building. In some examples, theexterior structure may include an exterior wall.

In some examples, the exterior structure may include a roof.

In some examples, the one or more devices may include an antenna.

In some examples, the one or more device may be are installed in, or on,windows of the building.

In some examples, the one or more circuits may include a transceiver,antenna and/or repeater.

In some examples, the one or more circuit may include a directionalcoupler circuit.

In some examples, the one or more circuit may include a bias T circuit.

These and other features and embodiments will be described in moredetail below with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1D show various link technologies and topologies that may beused with the present disclosure.

FIG. 1E shows an example of a data communication system that can providedata for interacting with optically switchable windows and fornon-window purposes.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a high bandwidth communications network for abuilding, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram showing an example of components thatmay be present in certain implementations of a digital architecturalelement.

FIG. 4 illustrates a comparison between a block diagram of aconventional window controller and a block diagram of a windowcontroller according to some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A through 5D illustrate a number of examples of applications anduses of the digital architectural element and related elementscontemplated by the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates a process flow for measuring a plurality of buildingconditions, and controlling building operation parameters of a pluralityof building systems responsive to the measured building conditions,according to some embodiments

FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a suite of functional modules,configured to execute the process flow illustrated in FIG. 6 accordingto an implementation.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example physical packaging of a digitalarchitectural element, according to some implementations.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate representations of a trunk line for a high-speednetwork infrastructure, according to some implementations.

FIG. 10 shows an example power and data distribution system thatincludes s control panel, trunk lines, drop lines, and digitalarchitectural elements, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic illustration of an example of a trunkline circuit.

FIG. 12 depicts a cross section of an example trunk line configured tocarry combination of power and data from and/or data, to a controlpanel.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a portion of a data and power distributionsystem having a digital architectural element (DAE) coupled by way of adrop line with a combination module that includes a directional couplerand a bias tee circuit.

FIG. 14 illustrates a DAE that can support multiple communicationstypes, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 15 illustrates a system of components that may be incorporated inor associated with a DAE, according to some embodiments.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a system of components that may beincorporated in or associated with a digital architectural element,according to some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is directed to certain embodiments orimplementations for the purposes of describing the disclosed aspects.However, the teachings herein can be applied and implemented in amultitude of different ways. In the following detailed description,references are made to the accompanying drawings. Although the disclosedimplementations are described in sufficient detail to enable one skilledin the art to practice the implementations, it is to be understood thatthese examples are not limiting; other implementations may be used andchanges may be made to the disclosed implementations without departingfrom their spirit and scope. Furthermore, while the disclosedembodiments focus on electrochromic windows (also referred to asoptically switchable windows, tintable and smart windows), the conceptsdisclosed herein may apply to other types of switchable optical devicesincluding, for example, liquid crystal devices and suspended particledevices, among others. For example, a liquid crystal device or asuspended particle device, rather than an electrochromic device, couldbe incorporated into some or all of the disclosed implementations.Additionally, the conjunction “or” is intended herein in the inclusivesense where appropriate unless otherwise indicated; for example, thephrase “A, B or C” is intended to include the possibilities of “A,” “B,”“C,” “A and B,” “B and C,” “A and C,” and “A, B, and C.”

Enterprise Communication/Networking Components

The window systems and associated components disclosed in theseembodiments can facilitate high bandwidth (e.g., gigabit) communicationand associated data processing. These communications and data processingmay employ optically switchable window systems components and facilitatevarious window and non-window functions as described herein and in PCTPatent Application No. PCT/US18/29476, filed Apr. 25, 2018, U.S. PatentApplication No. 62/666,033, filed May 2, 2018, and PCT PatentApplication No. PCT/US18/29406, filed Apr. 25, 2018. Some of theoptically switchable window system components include components of acommunications network and power distribution system for powering windowtransitions as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/365,685,filed Nov. 30, 2016.

Example components for enhancing functionality of a communicationsnetwork that serves optically switchable windows may include: (1) acontrol panel with a high bandwidth switching and/or routing capability(e.g., one gigabit or faster Ethernet switch); (2) a backbone thatincludes control panels and high bandwidth links (e.g., 10 gigabit orfaster Ethernet capability) between the control panels; (3) a digitalelement having sensors, display drivers, and logic for various functionsthat employ high data rate processing, the digital element configured,for example, as a digital wall interface or a digital architecturalelement such as a digital mullion; (4) an enhanced functionality windowcontroller that includes an access point for wireless communication,e.g., a Wi-Fi access point; and (5) high bandwidth data communicationlinks between the control panels and digital elements and/or enhancedfunctionality window controllers, the data communication linksconfigured, for example, as trunk lines or to follow paths that at leastpartially overlap with the paths of trunk lines.

FIGS. 1A-1D show various link technologies and topologies adapted topower and control electrochromic (EC) windows or other types ofoptically switchable windows. FIG. 1A presents a highly simplified toplevel view of a system 100 that includes a building 101 that includes anumber of EC windows. A subset of the EC windows is connected by way ofEC window power and communications lines to a “Control Panel” (CP) 103.Control panels will be described in more detail hereinbelow. In theillustrated example, three the building's windows are grouped in threesubsets, each connected to a respective CP 103, but it will beappreciated that fewer or more than three CP's may be contemplated forany given building. In the illustrated example, the three CPs 103 arecommunicatively coupled by a high bandwidth 10 Gbps backbone, and to anexternal network 105.

FIG. 1B illustrates a more detailed block diagram of a control panel 103interfacing with a plurality of EC windows 112. In the illustratedexample the control panel 103 includes a master control and power module104 and to network controllers (NC's) 110. It will be appreciated thatthe control panel 103 may include fewer or more NC's 110 thanillustrated. Each NC 110 is competitively coupled with two or morewindow controllers (WC's) 111, each window controller 111 beingassociated with a respective EC window 112.

Referring now to FIG. 1C and FIG. 1D, in certain embodiments,communicative coupling between the control panel 103 in the windowcontrollers 111 may be accomplished in a trunk line format. Anunshielded twisted pair (UTP) line and/or implementations of MoCA(Multimedia over Coax Alliance) data transmission protocols can beintegrated into a trunk line system, or run parallel or independently ofthe trunk line. As indicated in FIG. 1C, for example, a coaxial cablecapable of transmitting data using MoCA is provided within a trunk line;i.e., a coaxial cable runs within the trunk line architecture. In FIG.1D, a UTP system is implemented independent and parallel to a trunk linesystem. In certain embodiments, a UTP cable is incorporated into a trunkline path.

While FIGS. 1A through 1D show only conventional window controllers, thelinks may also provide data transmission to other elements such asdigital wall interfaces, enhanced functionality window controllers,digital architectural elements, and the like. FIG. 1E shows an exampleof a data communication system that can provide data for interactingwith optically switchable windows and for non-window purposes. Asdepicted, a building's communication system has multiple control panels(CPs) 103, with at least one connected to an external network 105 suchas the internet, which may allow access to a variety of services and/orcontent, such as cloud-based services and/or content. Each control panel103 may contain components for delivering power to one or more windowcontrollers and/or other devices in the building and a master or networkcontroller as described elsewhere herein. Example features of controlpanels and their components are provided in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/365,685, filed Nov. 30, 2016, previously incorporated byreference. In the depicted embodiment, each control panel 103 also has ahigh bandwidth data communications switch such as a 10 gigabit persecond (Gbps) Ethernet switch.

Each control panel 103 is linked to one or more other control panels viaappropriate cabling 107 to create a data network backbone. In certainembodiments, cabling 107 includes twinaxial cabling, which may employcopper conductors in an insulating shield. Twinaxial cable is suitablefor communication distances of a few hundred feet. In certainembodiments, high bandwidth, e.g., 2.5 Gbps and beyond, coaxial is used.Current and evolving implementations of MoCA data transmission protocolssupport this. Still further, in some cases, particularly those requiringonly relatively short links, an unshielded twisted pair cable may beused. Certain embodiments employ high bandwidth (e.g., 10 Gbps orgreater) wireless connections. These embodiments may employ sets ofparabolic antennas and parabolic receivers.

Various types of data transmission lines may be employed to provide datacommunications between the control panels 103 and destination devices inthe building such as optically switchable windows and/or non-windowdevices in a building. In the depicted embodiment, a data transmissionline 109 and associated interfaces supports a controller networkprotocol such as the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol CAN 2.0. Inthe depicted embodiment, transmission line 109 and associated interfacesprovide data communications between conventional window controllers 111and other types of controllers in the control panels 103. Examples ofsuch other controllers include network and master controllers. Datatransmission lines 109 may be employed to provide communications toother devices (not shown) that can function using data provided with thebandwidth limitations of a controller area network.

Another type of data transmission line is a high bandwidth network line113 such as a gigabit Ethernet (GbE) line, which may be a UTP line (asillustrated), or a twinax line, etc. High bandwidth lines 113 canprovide data links between control panels 103 and one or more types ofdevices that may require high data rates for certain functions. In thedepicted embodiment, such devices include digital wall interfaces 115and enhanced functionality window controllers 117, both describedelsewhere herein. In some implementations, enhanced functionality windowcontrollers 117 are connected to both a controller network (e.g.,controller network line/CAN bus 109) and a high bandwidth line 113.

In the depicted embodiment, high bandwidth data transmission may beprovided by either or both of an unshielded twisted pair line supportinggigabit Ethernet and one or more of coaxial lines 119. In someembodiments, data transmission over the coaxial line(s) 119 may be inaccordance with a protocol such as that promulgated by the Multimediaover Coax Alliance (MoCA) that functionally bonds channels in a coaxialcable, each channel carrying a different frequency band, into a singlecombined line that has high bandwidth, e.g., of about 1 Gbps or higher.MoCA protocols are described elsewhere herein. Other link technologysuch as wireless may be used in place of or to supplement the UTP orcoaxial lines.

As depicted, a top control panel 103 serves three digital architecturalelements (digital mullions 121 in this case, with one connected to avideo display device 122). Either or both GbE UTP lines 113 and coaxialcable 119 may be employed to provide high bandwidth data communicationbetween the control panel and the digital architectural elements.

FIGS. 2A and 2B show a high bandwidth communications network for abuilding, according to some embodiments. In both figures, controlpanels, which may have similar functionality to CP 103 described inconnection with FIGS. 1A-1E, are identified as modules labeled CP2 orCP3. In the illustrated example, each control panel includes a masterand/or network controller (MC/NC), a control panel monitor (CPM), and acommunications network switch 225 a or 225 b. In certain embodiments,the control panel monitors have one or more features presented in U.S.patent application Ser. No. 15/365,685, filed Nov. 30, 2016, previouslyincorporated by reference. In some implementations, a CP2 network switch225 a includes multiple (e.g., two) small form-factor pluggable (SFP)transceiver ports and multiple (e.g., four) 100 Mb Ethernet ports. Oneexample of a suitable network switch is the IE 2000 switch availablefrom Cisco Systems of San Jose, CA. The SFP ports are plug-ins foroptical fiber connections. In certain embodiments, one or more of theSFP ports supports 850 nm optical communications, or 1310 nm opticalcommunications, or 1550 nm optical communications.

In the CP3 control panels, the network switch 225 b can accommodate datarates beyond what is required for the optically switchable windowsystem. As such, a CP3 switch 225 b may require more bandwidth than isprovided in components dedicated solely to the window system (e.g., theCP2s). In certain embodiments, the high bandwidth switches of highbandwidth control panels (e.g., the CP3s) contain multiple (e.g., four)SFPs, multiple (e.g., eight) Gb Ethernet ports, and multiple (e.g.,eight) PoE (Power over Ethernet) Gb Ethernet ports. In certainembodiments, each port can support at least a 10 Gb line. In certainembodiments, the switches may be configured to aggregate the ports, ifdesired, to produce up to a 40 Gb Ethernet port. One example of asuitable network switch is the IE 4000 switch available from CiscoSystems of San Jose, CA.

The backbone for high bandwidth cabling may be directed upward throughvertical riser conduits in a multistory building. If necessary tosupport high bandwidth communication throughout all communicationelements of a building (e.g., including all digital architecturalelements and all wall interfaces), the high bandwidth cabling may bedirected horizontally on one or more floors of the building. In a coreand shell building, for example, the initial construction may includevertical riser conduits but not include horizontal conduits, which wouldbe installed later when the building has tenants.

In certain embodiments, control panels and associated links with highbandwidth capability are used together as a network backbone. In otherwords, every component in the backbone has high bandwidth transmissioncapability. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, “high bandwidth”describes a network component having at least about 0.5 gigabits persecond or faster data transmission and/or data processing capability. Incertain embodiments, the data transmission network includes a 10 Gbpsbackbone.

In certain embodiments, a network backbone provides connectivity toanother network located outside the building having the backbone. In oneexample, the other network is a wide area network or simply theinternet. Components of the backbone may be designed or configured forcloud connectivity; for example, the control panels may includecomponents for connecting to Comcast Business, Level 3 Communications,or the like.

As indicated above, some network configurations include controllernetwork components such as a CAN interface in window controllers andcontrol panels. Further, some network configurations additionallyinclude high bandwidth network components such as an Ethernet switchesand Ethernet lines from control panel.

As described above in connection with FIGS. 1A-1E, a controller networkmay provide data transmission for standard window controllers (WC2's)dedicated to controlling optically switchable windows. In addition, thecontroller network may provide data transmission supporting enhancedfunctionality window controllers (WC3's) that may have a Wi-Fi accesspoint, cellular capability, etc. In certain embodiments, enhancedfunctionality window controllers connect to a controller network bus tosend and receive data relating to controlling optically switchablewindows assigned to the window controllers. Additionally, the enhancedfunctionality window controllers may connect to a high bandwidth linesuch as a gigabit Ethernet line to send and receive data relating tonon-window functions such as Wi-Fi and/or cellular communications.

In certain embodiments, enhanced functionality window controllers aredeployed at locations where needed to provide a wireless communicationservice within a building. As an example, one enhanced functionalitywindow controller may be deployed for every 2500 square feet of buildingspace; this may correspond to about one enhanced functionality windowcontroller per 50 linear feet. More generally, enhanced functionalitywindow controllers may be deployed in a building such that adjacentcontrollers are separated by distance of between about 30 and 100 feet.In certain embodiments, adjacent enhanced functionality windowcontroller are separated along a trunk line by about four to ten IGUs,e.g., by approximately every six IGUs.

In certain embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controllersreceive data via drops from a trunk line as illustrated in the examplesdepicted in FIGS. 1, 2A, and 2B and discussed in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/365,685, filed Nov. 30, 2016, previously incorporated byreference. A trunk line can be used to carry the data transmissioncables. Drop lines from the trunk line can be used to provide data (andpower) from the trunk lines to the individual enhanced functionalitywindow controllers. In alternative embodiments, the network topologyincludes a separate data line running to each of one or more enhancedfunctionality window controllers.

In certain embodiments, the lines providing data from the control panelsto the enhanced functionality window controllers WC3 (as well asconventional window controllers WC2, in some embodiments) are gigabitEthernet lines, which may be embodied as an unshielded twisted pair(UTP), twinax cable, etc. In some cases, data to all or many of theenhanced functionality window controllers is made entirely via thegigabit Ethernet UTP lines.

In certain embodiments, some or all of the data provided to one or moreof the enhanced functionality window controllers WC3 is provided via ahigh bandwidth coaxial cable. In one example, the coaxial cable andassociated network controllers are designed or configured to transmitdata using one of the MoCA standards, which provides an internetprotocol suite, envisioned, at least in part, by the cable TV industry.As mentioned, in some implementations, MoCA provides gigabit Ethernetbandwidth over a coaxial cable.

The MoCA protocols include a technique known as bonding to providemultiple channels, each of limited bandwidth, so that together thechannels provide a much higher bandwidth. In some implementations, eachof the bonded channels employs a distinct frequency band, each at about155 kB. In some implementations, to provide gigabit bandwidth, sixteencoaxial channels are aggregated to become a gigabit channel. If lessthan gigabit bandwidth is needed, fewer channels need be bonded. In somecases, different channels are coupled to different endpoints, thusallowing different bands. The network can separate traffic to differentend points, allowing implementation of virtual networks, for example.Cable caps may be deployed on the coaxial cable to connect withadditional enhanced functionality window controllers. In someembodiments, MoCA or a similarly bandwidth scalable approach allows thebuilding infrastructure to add and subtract window controllers,including enhanced functionality window controllers relativelyseamlessly.

In certain embodiments, a trunk line from a control panel to one or morewindow controllers and/or digital elements (e.g., digital wallinterfaces or digital architectural elements) employs both coaxial andnon-coaxial line. For example, a first portion of the line from acontrol panel is a twinax or UTP line and a second portion of the line,which is connected to the first portion, is a coaxial line configured totransmit data using, e.g., a MoCA protocol. Both the first portion andthe second portion of the trunk line may be designed or configured tosupport gigabit transmission rates. In certain embodiments, the firstand second portions of the trunk line are connected using a T connector.For example, a twinax or UTP line runs from a control panel and thenconnects to a coaxial cable (for MoCA protocol), when then runs to theterminus where the last window controller (conventional or enhanced) islocated.

In some embodiments, a coaxial cable is configured as or incorporatedinto a trunk line. In this manner, cable drops can be made, as needed,to window controllers and/or other devices along the length of the trunkline. In some cases, no extra lines are needed, just one coaxial cableper trunk line. In certain embodiments, high bandwidth datacommunications lines (coaxial, UTP, twinax, etc.) can follow trunk linepaths as defined for, e.g., power delivery. If desired, such highbandwidth lines can be installed during construction but used onlylater, when digital elements are installed, assuming that they areinstalled later rather than when the building is constructed.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, a high bandwidthcommunications network for a building incorporates digital mullions 221or other enhanced functionality digital architectural elements.

Multi-Component Digital Elements on Building Elements

As indicated above, a high bandwidth network as described herein mayinclude a plurality of digital elements with robust sensing and dataprocessing capabilities and/or one or more additional features such asdata storage and/or user interface capabilities. Components enablingthese capabilities are described below and may be referred to herein,generally as “sensors and other peripheral” components or elements. Usesand functions of digital elements are also described below.

As explained below, digital elements may be provided in various formatsand housings that allow, as the purpose dictates, installation onbuilding structural elements, which are typically permanent elements,and/or on building walls, floors, ceilings, or roofs. In variousembodiments, the chassis or housing of a digital element is no greaterthan about 5 meters in any dimension, or no greater than about 3 metersin any dimension. In various embodiments, the housing is rigid orsemi-rigid and encompasses some or all components of the element. Insome cases, the housing provides a frame or scaffold for attaching oneor more components such as a speaker, a display, an antenna, or asensor. In some embodiments, the housing provides external access to oneor more ports or cables such as ports or cables for attaching to networklinks, video displays, mobile electronic devices, battery chargers, etc.

Window controller networks and associated digital elements may beinstalled relatively early in the construction of office buildings andother types of buildings. Frequently, the window controller network isinstalled before any other network, e.g., before networks for otherbuilding functions such as Building Management Systems (BMSs), securitysystems, Information Technology (IT) systems of tenants, etc.

In the absence of the present teachings, the sensors and otherperipheral elements are designed around the walls and ceilings of thebuilding after the construction and as a result may be costly toinstall, operate and maintain. In certain embodiments of thisdisclosure, a high bandwidth window network and associated digitalcomponents are installed early and provide associated sensors andperipherals in the skin or fabric of the building (e.g., structuralbuilding components, particularly those on the perimeter of the buildingor rooms such as walls, partitions, frames, beams, mullions, transoms,and the like). The installation may occur during building construction.The installed network may utilize remote operational capabilities of awindow network (e.g., sensing, data transmission, processing) to reducethe installation and operating costs of sensors, which are currentlysilo-ed, and edge network technologies.

Regarding operating costs, managing and operating silo-ed sensornetworks is very expensive. In certain embodiments, a high bandwidthbuilding network and associated digital elements facilitate centralmonitoring and operating of sensors and other peripherals, therebysignificantly reduces the operating cost of sensor networks.

In certain embodiments, sensors on a window network are installed closeto where building occupants spend their time, thereby improving thesensors' effectiveness in providing occupant comfort. As discussedbelow, digital elements as described herein that are connected to a highbandwidth network may be deployed in various locations throughout abuilding. Examples of such locations include building structuralelements in offices, lobbies, mezzanines, bathrooms, stairwells,terraces, and the like. Within any of these locations, digital elementsmay be positioned and/or oriented proximate to occupant positions,thereby collecting environment data that is most appropriate fortriggering building systems to act in a way maintain or enhance occupantcomfort.

In certain embodiments, the sensing, data processing, and data storagecapabilities of a high bandwidth window network provides aninfrastructure for building interactive applications or personal digitalassistants such as Microsoft's Cortana, Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa,and Google's Google Home. The usefulness of such applications andpersonal digital assistants is extended by direct interactions between arange of sensors and a building's occupants. As described more fullybelow, such interactions include computer vision, analytics, machinelearning, and the like.

Digital Architectural Element

A digital architectural element (DAE) may contain various sensors, aprocessor (e.g., a microcontroller), a network interface, and one ormore peripheral interfaces. Examples of DAE sensors include lightsensors, optionally including image capture sensors such as cameras,audio sensors such as voice coils or microphones, air quality sensors,and proximity sensors (e.g., certain IR and/or RF sensors). The networkinterface may be a high bandwidth interface such as a gigabit (orfaster) Ethernet interface. Examples of DAE peripherals include videodisplay monitors, add-on speakers, mobile devices, battery chargers, andthe like. Examples of peripheral interfaces include standard Bluetoothmodules, ports such as USB ports and network ports, etc. In addition oralternatively, ports include any of various proprietary ports for thirdparty devices.

In certain embodiments, the digital architectural element works inconjunction with other hardware and software provided for an opticallyswitchable window system (e.g., a display on window). In certainembodiments, the digital architectural element includes a windowcontroller or other controller such as a master controller, a networkcontroller, etc.

In certain embodiments, a digital architectural element includes one ormore signal generating device such as a speaker, a light source (e.g.,and LED), a beacon, an antenna (e.g., a Wi-Fi or cellular communicationsantenna), and the like. In certain embodiments, a digital architecturalelement includes an energy storage component and/or a power harvestingcomponent. For example, a element may contain one or more batteries orcapacitors as energy storage devices. Such elements may additionallyinclude a photovoltaic cell. In one example, a digital architecturalelement has one or more user interface components (e.g., a microphone ora speaker), and one more sensors (e.g., a proximity sensor), as well anetwork interface for a high bandwidth communications.

In various embodiments, a digital architectural element is designed orconfigured to attach to or otherwise be collocated with a structuralelement of building. In some cases, a digital architectural element hasan appearance that blends in with the structural element with which itis associated. For example, a digital architectural element may have ashape, size, and color that blends with the associated structuralelement. In some cases, a digital architectural element is not easilyvisible to occupants of a building; e.g., the element is fully orpartially camouflaged. However, such element may interface with othercomponents that do not blend in such as video display monitors, touchscreens, projectors, and the like.

The building structural elements to which digital architectural elementsmay be attached include any of various building structures. In certainembodiments, building structures to which digital architectural elementsattach are structures that are installed during building construction,in some cases early in building construction. In certain embodiments,the building structural elements for digital architectural elements areelements that serve as a building structural function. Such elements maybe permanent, i.e., not easy to remove from a building. Examples includewalls, partitions (e.g., office space partitions), doors, beams, stairs,façades, moldings, mullions and transoms, etc. In various examples, thebuilding structural elements are located on a building or roomperimeter. In some cases, digital architectural elements are provided asseparate modular units or boxes that attach to the building structuralelement. In some cases, digital architectural elements are provided asfaçades for building structural elements. For example, a digitalarchitectural element may be provided as a cover for a portion of amullion, transom, or door. In one example, a digital architecturalelement is configured as a mullion or disposed in or on a mullion. If itis attached to a mullion, it may be bolted on or otherwise attached tothe rigid parts of the mullion. In certain embodiments, a digitalarchitectural element can snap onto an building structural element. Incertain embodiments, a digital architectural element serves as amolding, e.g., a crown molding. In certain embodiments, a digitalarchitectural element is modular; i.e., it serves as a module for partof a larger system such as a communications network, a powerdistribution network, and/or computational system that employs anexternal video display and/or other user interface components.

In some embodiments, the digital architectural element is a digitalmullion designed to be deployed on some but not all mullions in a room,floor, or building. In some cases, digital mullions are deployed in aregular or periodic fashion. For example, digital mullions may bedeployed on every sixth mullion.

In certain embodiments, in addition to the high bandwidth networkconnection (port, switch, router, etc.) and a housing, the digitalarchitectural element includes multiple of the following digital and/oranalog components: a camera, a proximity or movement sensor, anoccupancy sensor, a color temperature sensor, a biometric sensor, aspeaker, a microphone, an air quality sensor, a hub for power and/ordata connectivity, display video driver, a Wi-Fi access point, anantenna, a location service via beacons or other mechanism, a powersource, a light source, a processor and/or ancillary processing device.

One or more cameras may include a sensor and processing logic forimaging features in the visible, IR (see use of thermal imager below),or other wavelength region; various resolutions are possible includingHD and greater.

One or more proximity or movement sensors may include an infraredsensor, e.g., a an IR sensor. In some embodiments, a proximity sensor isa radar or radar-like device that detects distances from and betweenobjects using a ranging function. Radar sensors can also be used todistinguish between closely spaced occupants via detection of theirbiometric functions, for example, detection of their different breathingmovements. When radar or radar-like sensors are used, better operationmay be facilitated when disposed unobstructed or behind a plastic caseof a digital architectural element.

One or more occupancy sensor may include a multi-pixel thermal imager,which when configured with an appropriate computer implemented algorithmcan be used to detect and/or count the number of occupants in a room. Inone embodiment, data from a thermal imager or thermal camera iscorrelated with data from a radar sensor to provide a better level ofconfidence in a particular determination being made. In embodiments,thermal imager measurements can be used to evaluate other thermal eventsin a particular location, for example, changes in air flow caused byopen windows and doors, the presence of intruders, and/or fires.

One or more color temperature sensors may be used to analyze thespectrum of illumination present in a particular location and to provideoutputs that can be used to implement changes in the illumination asneeded or desired, for example, to improve an occupant's health or mood.

One or more biometric sensor (e.g., for fingerprint, retina, or facialrecognition) may be provided as a stand-alone sensor or be integratedwith another sensor such as a camera.

One or more speakers and associated power amplifiers may be included aspart of a digital architectural element or separate from it. In someembodiments, two or more speakers and an amplifier may, collectively, beconfigured as a sound bar; i.e., a bar-shaped device containing multiplespeakers. The device may be designed or configured to provide highfidelity sound.

One or more microphones and logic for detecting and processing soundsmay be provided as part of a digital architectural element or separatefrom it. The microphones may be configured to detect one or both ofinternally or externally generated sounds. In one embodiment, processingand analysis of the sounds is performed by logic embodied as software,firmware, or hardware in one or more digital structural element and/orby logic in one or more other devices coupled to the network, forexample, one or more controllers coupled to the network. In oneembodiment, based on the analysis, the logic is configured toautomatically adjust a sound output of one or more speaker to maskand/or cancel sounds, frequency variations, echoes, and other factorsdetected by one or more microphone that negatively impact (orpotentially could negatively impact) occupants present in a particularlocation within a building. In one embodiment, the sounds comprisesounds generated by, but not limited to: indoor machinery, indoor officeequipment, outdoor construction, outdoor traffic, and/or airplanes.

In embodiments, one or more microphones are positioned on, or next to,windows of a building; on ceilings of the building; and/or or otherinterior structures of the building. The logic may be configured in asingular or arrayed fashion to analyze and determine the type,intensity, spectrum, location and/or direction interior sounds presentin a building. In one embodiment, the logic is functionally connected toother fixed or moving network connected devices that may be being usedin a building, for example, devices such as computers, smart phones,tablets, and the like, and is configured to receive and analyze soundsor related signals from such devices.

In one embodiment, the logic is configured to measure and analyze realtime delays in signals from microphones to predict the amount and typeof sound needed to mask or cancel unwanted external and/or internalsound present at a particular location in the building. In oneembodiment, the logic is configured to detect changes in the leveland/or location of the unwanted external and/or internal sound where,for example, the changes can be caused by movements of objects andpeople within and outside a building, and to dynamically adjust theamount of the masking and/or canceling sound based on the changes. Inone embodiment, the logic is configured to use signals from trackingsensors in a building and, according to the signals, to cause themasking and/or canceling sounds to be increased or decreased at aparticular location in the building according to a presence and/orlocation of one or more occupant. In one embodiment, one or more of thespeakers are positioned to generate masking and/or canceling sounds thatpropagate substantially in a plane of travel of unwanted sound,including in a horizontal plane, vertical plane, and/or combinations ofthe two.

In one embodiment, the logic comprises an algorithm designed toacoustically map an interior of a building, to locate in-office noisesource locations, and to improve speech privacy. In one embodiment,after an array of speakers and microphones is installed in a building,the logic may be used to perform an acoustical sweep so as to cause eachspeaker to generate sound that in turn is detected by each microphone.In one embodiment, time delays, sound level decreases, and spectrumdifferences in the detected sounds are used to calculate and mapeffective acoustical distances between speakers, microphones, andbetween them. In one embodiment, an acoustical transfer function of aninterior of a building map may be obtained from the acoustical sweep.With such an acoustical map and set of transfer functions of one or morespace within a building, the logic can make appropriate masking and/orcanceling level determinations when sources of unwanted sounds generatedin the spaces are present. When needed, the logic can adjust speakergenerated sounds to correct for absorption of certain absorptivesurfaces, for example, a sound that may otherwise be sound muffledbouncing off of a soft partition can be adjusted to sound crisp again.The acoustical map of a space can also be used to determine what isdirect versus indirect sound, and adjust time delays of masking and/orcanceling sounds so that they arrive at a desired location at the sametime.

One or more air quality sensor s (optionally able to measure one or moreof the following air components: volatile organic compounds (VOC),carbon dioxide temperature, humidity) may be used in conjunction withHVAC to improve air circulation control.

One or more hubs for power and/or data connectivity to sensor(s),speakers, microphone, and the like may be provided. The hub may be a USBhub, a Bluetooth hub, etc. The hub may include one or more ports such asUSB ports, High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) ports, etc.Alternatively or in addition, the element may include a connector dockfor external sensors, light fixtures, peripherals (e.g., a camera,microphone, speaker(s)), network connectivity, power sources, etc.

One or more video drivers for a display (e.g., a transparent OLEDdevice) on or proximate to an integrated glass unit (IGU) associatedwith the architectural element may be provided. The driver may be wiredor optically coupled; e.g., the optical signal is launched into thewindow by optical transmission; see, e.g., a switchable Bragg gratingthat includes a display with a light engine and lens that focuses onglass waveguides that transmits through the glass and travelsperpendicularly to line of sight.

One or more Wi-Fi access points and antenna(s), which may be part of theWi-Fi access point or serve a different purpose. In certain embodiments,the architectural element itself or faceplate that covers all or aportion of the architectural element serves as an antenna. Variousapproaches may be employed to insulate the architectural element andmake it transmit or receive directionally. Alternatively, aprefabricated antenna may be employed or a window antenna as describedin PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US17/31106, filed May 4, 2017,incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

One or more power sources such as an energy storage device (e.g., arechargeable battery or a capacitor), and the like may be provided. Insome implementations, a power harvesting device is included; e.g., aphotovoltaic cell or panel of cells. This allows the device to beself-contained or partially self-contained. The light harvesting devicemay be transparent or opaque, depending on where it is attached. Forexample, a photovoltaic cell may be attached to, and partially or fullycover, the exterior of a digital mullion, while a transparentphotovoltaic cell may be cover a display or user interface (e.g., adial, button, etc.) on the digital architectural element.

One or more light sources (e.g., light emitting diodes) configured withthe processor to emit light under certain conditions such signaling whenthe device is active.

One or more processors may be configured to provide various embedded ornon-embedded applications. The processor may be a microcontroller. Incertain embodiments, the processor is low-powered mobile computing unit(MCU) with memory and configured to run a lightweight secure operatingsystem hosting applications and data. In certain embodiments, theprocessor is an embedded system, system on chip, or an extension.

One or more ancillary processing devices such as a graphical processingunit, or an equalizer or other audio processing device configured tointerpret audio signals.

A digital architectural element or building structural elementassociated with a digital architectural element may have one or moreantennas. These may be pre-constructed and attached to or embedded inthe element, either on the surface on or in the element's interior.Alternatively, or in addition, an antenna may be configured such thatthe structure of a digital architectural element or building structuralelement serves as an antenna component. For example, a conductive metalpiece of a mullion may serve as an antenna element or ground plane. Insome embodiments, a portion of a digital architectural element orbuilding structural element is removed (or added) so that the remainingportion serves as a tuned antenna element. For example, a part of amullion may be punched out to provide a tuned antenna element. Byattaching coaxial or other cable to the element and an RF transmitter orreceiver, the building structural element and/or an associated digitalarchitectural element may serve as an antenna element. The antennacomponents may be designed with an impedance (e.g., about 50 ohms) thatmatches that of the RF transmitter, for example.

Depending on construction, the antenna element may be a Wi-Fi antenna, aBluetooth antenna, a cellular communication antenna, etc. In certainembodiments, the antenna transmits and/or receives in the radiofrequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The antenna may be apatch antenna, a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, etc. It may beconfigured to transmit or receive electromagnetic signals in anyappropriate wavelength range. Examples of antenna components that may beemployed in optically switchable window systems are described in PCTPatent Application No. PCT/US17/31106, filed May 4, 2017, which waspreviously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In various embodiments, a camera of a digital architectural element isconfigured to capture images in the visible portion of theelectromagnetic spectrum. In some cases, the camera provides images inhigh resolution, e.g., high definition, of at least about 720p or atleast about 1080p. In certain cases, the camera may also capture imageshaving information about the intensity of wavelengths outside thevisible range. For example, a camera may be able capture infraredsignals. In certain implementations, a digital architectural elementincludes a near infrared device such as a forward looking infrared(FLIR) camera or near-infrared (NIR) camera. Examples of suitableinfrared cameras include the Boson™ or Lepton™ from FLIR Systems, ofWilsonville, OR. Such infrared cameras may be employed to augment avisible camera in a digital architectural element.

In certain embodiments, the camera may be configured to map the heatsignature of a room such that it may serve as a temperature sensor withthree-dimensional awareness. In some implementations, such cameras in adigital architectural element enable occupancy detection, augmentvisible cameras to facilitate detecting a human instead of a hot wall,provide quantitative measurements of solar heating (e.g., image thefloor or desks and see what the sun is actually illuminating), etc.

In certain embodiments, the speaker, microphone, and associated logicare configured to use acoustic information to characterize air qualityor air conditions. As an example, an algorithm may issue ultrasonicpulses, and detect the transmitted and/or reflected pulses coming backto a microphone. The algorithm may be configured to analyze the detectedacoustic signal, sometimes using a transmitted vs. received differentialaudio signal, to determine air density, particulate deflection, and thelike to characterize air quality.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram showing an example of components thatmay be present in certain implementations of a digital architecturalelement (DAE). In the illustrated example, an arrangement 300 includes aDAE 330 and a computer or processor 340. The computer processor 340 isconnected to an external network such as the internet and optionally acloud-based content and/or service provider. The connection may includean appropriate modem, router, or switch and may include a high bandwidthbackbone such as the 10 G backbone described hereinabove. The computeror processor 340 is also connected to a video display 309 via, in thisexample, a HDMI link. Further, the computer 340 is connected to ports311 (USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or otherwise) to make available additionalinternal or external resources for the DAE 330. As indicated hereinabovea DAE may include various sensors and peripheral elements. In theexample illustrated in FIG. 3 , DAE 330 includes speakers 317,microphone 319, and various sensors 321. Any one or more of thesecomponents may be coupled to the computer or processor 340 via the ports311.

In the illustrated example, an equalizer 313 may be configured toprovide tone control to adjust for acoustics of a room. In some cases,the equalizer 313 facilitates adjustment of room acoustics using, forexample, real time, time delay reflectometry. The equalizer andassociated components can thereby compensate for unwanted audioartifacts produced by interactions of the sound waves with items thatare in a room or otherwise in close proximity with an occupant. Incertain embodiments, a signal pulse is generated by a speaker associatedwith the digital architectural element, and one or more microphones pickup the pulse directly and as reflected and attenuated by items in theroom. Based on the time delay between emitting and detecting the pulse,as well as the tonal quality of the detected pulse, the system can inferroom boundaries, etc. In certain embodiments, a user's smart phonefurther enables optimizing speaker outputs for the acousticalenvironment of various locations in a room. During a set up mode, theuser, with phone enabled, may move around a room and use the phone todetect the acoustical response. Based on the location and the detectedacoustic response, the digital architectural element can determine howto optimize speaker output. After the acoustic profile of the room ismapped, the digital architectural element is programmed to tune itsspeaker output based on various factors such as where the user islocated in a room. The element can, in some embodiments, detect the userlocation using any of a number of proximity techniques, such as thosedescribed in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US17/31106, filed May 4,2017, which was previously incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Digital Wall Interface

Certain aspects of this disclosure pertain to digital wall interfacesthat contain some or all of the components that are used in a digitalarchitectural element, and the digital wall interface is configured toinclude a chassis or housing that is designed for mounting on a wall ordoor of a partially or fully constructed building. The wall interfacemay be constructed to provide a user interface that is easily visible tousers. It may have a relatively small footprint (e.g., at most about 500square inches of user facing surface area) and be circularly orpolygonally shaped. In certain embodiments, a digital wall interface isapproximately tablet shaped and sized.

In certain embodiments, a digital wall interface has the same or similarfeatures as a digital architectural element but it is a wall mounteddevice. For example, a digital wall interface may include the sensorsand peripheral elements as described for the digital architecturalelement. Further, such elements may be included in a bar or similarchassis.

In various embodiments, a digital architectural element is provided withthe building, as the building is being constructed, while a digital wallinterface is installed in a building after the building construction iscomplete or nearly complete. In one approach to building construction, aplurality of digital architectural elements are installed duringconstruction of the basic building structures—walls, partitions, doors,mullions and transoms, etc. —while one or more digital wall interfacesare installed shortly before or at the time of occupancy, e.g., by atenant. Of course, once installed, the digital wall interfaces and thedigital architectural elements can work in conjunction, e.g., as part ofa mesh network, by sharing sensed results, by sharing analysis andcontrol logic, etc.

In many embodiments, a digital wall interface includes a built indisplay configured to provide a user interface, and optionally a touchsensitive interface. In some but not all embodiments, a digitalarchitectural element does not include a display or touch interface.Note that in some embodiments, a digital architectural element does notinclude a built in display but does have an associated display, e.g., adisplay connected to the element by an HDMI cable or a projectorconfigured to project video controlled by the element. Similarly, adigital wall interface may be configured to work with a separate displaysuch as a window display or a projection display.

While much of the discussion herein regarding uses, components, andfunctions of digital devices uses digital architectural elements asexamples, in most cases a digital wall interface may serve a similar oridentical purpose. So, unless the discussion focuses on a buildingstructural element to which digital device is attached or associatedwith, the discussion applies equally to digital wall interfaces anddigital architectural elements.

Enhanced Functionality Window Controllers (WC3).

As described hereinabove, in certain embodiments, an enhancedfunctionality window controller (WC3) may include a Wi-Fi access point,and optionally also has cellular communications capability. It is oftenconfigured to connect to multiple networks (e.g., a CAN bus andEthernet).

In some embodiments, an enhanced functionality window controller mayhave the basic structure and function as described above herein, butwith an added gigabit Ethernet interface and a processor with enhancedcomputing power. As with more conventional window controllers, theenhanced functionality window controller may have a CAN bus interface orsimilar controller network. In some embodiments, the controller hasvideo capability and/or may include features described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/287,646, filed Oct. 6, 2016, which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In certain embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller isimplemented as a module having (i) a processor with sufficiently highprocessing power to handle video and other functions requiringsignificant processing power, (ii) an Ethernet connection, (iii)optionally video processing capabilities, (iv) optionally a Wi-Fi accesspoint or other wireless communications capability, etc. This module maybe attached to a base board having other, more conventional, windowcontroller functionality such as a power amplifier or another baseboardthat is used with a ring sensor. The resulting device may be used tocontrol an optically switchable window, or it may be used simply providewireless communications, video, and/or other functions not necessarilyassociated with controlling the states of optically switchable windows.

In certain embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller isprovisioned, controlled, alarmed, etc. by a CAN bus or similarcontroller network protocol, as with a conventional window controllerdescribed herein, but additionally it provides video, Wi-Fi, and/orother extra functions.

FIG. 4 illustrates a comparison between a block diagram of WC2 (DetailA) and, according to some implementations a block diagram of WC3 (DetailB). The WC2 block diagram is an example of a conventional windowcontroller such as those available from View, Inc. of Milpitas, CA. Someof the depicted components include at least one voltage regulator 441, acontroller network interface, CAN 442 a processing unit(microcontroller) 443, and various ports and connectors. Some of thesecomponents and example architectures are described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/449,251, filed Apr. 17, 2012, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/334,835 filed Oct. 26, 2016, which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

Detail B depicts an example of an enhanced functionality windowcontroller, WC3. In the depicted embodiments, the conventional windowcontroller (WC 2) and the enhanced functionality window controller (WC3)have a similar architecture and some common components. The enhancedfunctionality window controller WC3 has a more capable microcontroller453, a gigabit Ethernet interface 454, a wireless (e.g. Wi-Fi, Bluetoothor cellular) interface 455 and an optional MoCA interface 456. Thegigabit Ethernet interface may be a conventional unshielded twisted pair(e.g., UTP/CAT5-6) interface and/or a MoCA (GbE over coaxial cable)interface. In certain embodiments, connection to the enhancedfunctionality window controller is via a conventional RJ45 modularconnector (jack). In certain embodiments that support MoCA, thecontroller includes a separate adaptor feeding the jack. As an example,such adaptor may be an Actiontec (Actiontec Electronics, Inc. ofSunnyvale, CA) adaptor such as the ECB6250 MoCA 2.5 network adapter,e.g., an adaptor that provides data communication speeds up to about 2.5Gbps.

Applications and Uses

FIGS. 5A through 5D illustrate a number of examples of applications anduses of the digital architectural element and related elementscontemplated by the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that thenetwork and high bandwidth backbone described herein may be used forvarious functions, some of which are not related to controlling windows.One such function is the providing of internet, local network, and/orcomputational services for tenants or other building occupants,construction personnel on site during the construction of the building,and the like. During construction, the network and computation resourcesprovided by the backbone and digital elements may be used for more thanjust commissioning windows. For example, they may be used to providearchitectural information, construction instructions, and the like. Inthis way, construction personnel have ready access to constructioninformation they need via a high bandwidth, on-site network.

In some cases, the network, communications, and/or computationalservices provided by the network and computational infrastructure asdescribed herein are utilized in multi-tenant buildings or sharedworkspaces such as those provided by WeWork.com. For example, sharedworkspace buildings need only provide temporary connectivity andprocessing power as needed. A building network such as described hereinaffords central control and flexible assignment of computationalresources to particular building locations. This flexibility allowsassignment of different resources to different tenants.

Readings from sensors in a digital element (e.g., a digital wallinterface or a digital architectural element) may provide informationabout the environment in the vicinity of the digital architecturalelement. Examples of such sensors include sensors for any one or more oftemperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbondioxide, dust, light level, glare, and color temperature. In certainembodiments, readings from one or more such sensors are input to analgorithm that determines actions that other building systems shouldtake to offset the deviation in measured readings to get these readingsto target values for occupant's comfort or building efficiency,depending on the contextual index of occupant's presence and othersignals.

In certain embodiments, a digital element may be provided on the roof ofa building, optionally collocated with a sky sensor or a ring sensorsuch as described in US Patent Application Publication No. 2017/0122802,published May 4, 2017. Such element may be outfitted with some or allfeatures presented elsewhere herein for a digital architectural element.Examples include sensors, antenna, radio, radar, air quality detectors,etc. In some implementations, the digital element on the roof or otherbuilding exterior location provides information about air quality; inthis way, digital elements may provide information about the air qualityboth inside and outside. This allows decisions about window tint statesand other environmental conditions to be made using a full set ofinformation (e.g., when conditions outside the building are unhealthy(or at least worse than they are inside), a decision may be madeprohibit venting air from outside).

In some cases, the light levels, glare, color temperature, and/or othercharacteristics of ambient or artificial light in a region of buildingare used to make decisions about whether to change the tint state of anelectrochromic device. In certain embodiments, these decisions employone or more algorithms or analyses as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/347,677, filed Nov. 9, 2016, and U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/742,015, a national stage application filed Jan.4, 2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.In one example, tinting decisions are made by using a solar calculatorand/or a reflection model in conjunction with an algorithm forinterpreting light information from sensors of the digital architecturalelement. The algorithm may in some cases use information about thepresence of occupants, how many there are, and/or where they are located(data that can be obtained with a digital architectural element) toassist in making decisions about whether to tint a window and what tintstate should be chosen. In some cases, for purposes of determiningappropriate tint states, a digital architectural element is used in lieuof or in conjunction with a sky sensor such as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/287,646, filed Oct. 6, 2016, and previouslyincorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

As an example of tint and glare control, sensors in a digital elementmay provide feedback about local light, temperature, color, glare, etc.in a room or other portion of a building. The logic associated with adigital element may then determine that the light intensity, direction,color, etc. should be changed in the room or portion of a building, andmay also determine how to effect such change. A change may be necessaryfor user comfort (e.g., reduce glare at the user's workspace, increasecontrast, or correct a color profile for sensitive users) or privacy orsecurity. Assuming that the logic determines that a change is necessary,it may then send instructions to change one or more lighting or solarcomponents such as optically switchable window tint states, displaydevice output, switched particle device film states (e.g., transparent,translucent, opaque), light projection onto a surface, artificial lightoutput (color, intensity, direction, etc.), and the like. All suchdecisions may be made with or without assistance from building-wide tintstate processing logic such as described in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/347,677, filed Nov. 9, 2016, and U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/742,015, a national stage application filed Jan. 4, 2018, previouslyincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

An array of digital architectural elements in a building may form a meshedge access network enabling interactions between building occupants andthe building or machines in the building. When equipped with anappropriate network interface, a digital architectural element and/or adigital wall interface and/or an enhanced functionality windowcontroller can be used as a digital compute mesh network node providingconnectivity, communication, application execution, etc. within buildingstructural elements (e.g., mullions) for ambient compute processing. Itmay be powered, monitoring and controlled in a similar or identicalmanner as an edge sensor node in a mesh network setup in the buildings.It may be used as gateway for other sensor nodes.

A non-exhaustive list of functions or uses for the high bandwidth windownetwork and associated digital elements contemplated by the presentdisclosure includes: (a) Speaker phone—a digital wall interface or adigital architectural element may be configured to provide all thefunctions of a speaker phone; (b) Personalization of space—an occupant'spreferences and/or roles may be stored and then implemented inparticular locations where the occupant is present. In some cases, thepreferences and/or roles are implemented only temporarily, when a useris at a particular location. In some cases, the preferences and/or rolesremain in effect so long as the occupant is assigned a work space orliving space; (c) Security—track assets, identify unauthorized presenceof individuals in defined locations, lock doors, tint windows, untintwindows, sound alarms, etc.; (d) Control HVAC, air quality; (e)communication with occupants, including public address notifications foroccupants during emergencies; messages may be communicated via speakersin a digital element; (f) collaboration among occupants using livevideo; (g) Noise cancellation—E.g., microphone detects white noise, andthe sound bar cancels the white noise; (h) Connecting to, streaming, orotherwise delivering video or other media content such as television;(i) Enhancements to personal digital assistants such as Amazon's Alexa,Microsoft's Cortana, Google's Google Home, Apple's Siri, and/or otherpersonal digital assistants; (j) Facial or other biometric recognitionenabled by, e.g., a camera and associated image analysis logic—determinethe identification of the people in a room, not just count the number ofpeople; (k) Detect color—color balancing with room lighting and windowtint state; (l) Local environmental conditions detected and/or adjusted.Conditions may be determined using one or more of the following types ofsensed conditions, for example: temperature & humidity, volatile organiccompounds (VOC), CO₂, dust, smoke and lighting (light levels, glare,color temperature.

Computational System and Memory Devices

The presently disclosed logic and computational processing resources maybe provided within a digital element such as a digital wall interface ora digital architectural element as described herein, and/or it may beprovided via a network connection to a remote location such as anotherbuilding using the same or similar resources and services, servers onthe internet, cloud-based resources, etc.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems for generatingand/or using functionality for a building such as the uses described inthe preceding “Applications and Uses” section. A programmed orconfigured system for performing the functions and uses may beconfigured to (i) receive input such as sensor data characterizingconditions within a building, occupancy details, and/or exteriorenvironmental conditions, and (ii) execute instructions that determinethe effect of such conditions or details on a building environment, andoptionally take actions to maintain or change the building environment.

Many types of computing systems having any of various computerarchitectures may be employed as the disclosed systems for implementingthe functions and uses described herein. For example, the systems mayinclude software components executing on one or more general purposeprocessors or specially designed processors such as programmable logicdevices (e.g., Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs)). Further, thesystems may be implemented on a single device or distributed acrossmultiple devices. The functions of the computational elements may bemerged into one another or further split into multiple sub-modules. Incertain embodiments, the computing system contains a microcontroller. Incertain embodiments, the computing system contains a general purposemicroprocessor. Frequently, the computing system is configured to run anoperating system and one or more applications.

In some embodiments, code for performing a function or use describedherein can be embodied in the form of software elements which can bestored in a nonvolatile storage medium (such as optical disk, flashstorage device, mobile hard disk, etc.). At one level a software elementis implemented as a set of commands prepared by theprogrammer/developer. However, the module software that can be executedby the computer hardware is executable code committed to memory using“machine codes” selected from the specific machine language instructionset, or “native instructions,” designed into the hardware processor. Themachine language instruction set, or native instruction set, is knownto, and essentially built into, the hardware processor(s). This is the“language” by which the system and application software communicateswith the hardware processors. Each native instruction is a discrete codethat is recognized by the processing architecture and that can specifyparticular registers for arithmetic, addressing, or control functions;particular memory locations or offsets; and particular addressing modesused to interpret operands. More complex operations are built up bycombining these simple native instructions, which are executedsequentially, or as otherwise directed by control flow instructions.

The inter-relationship between the executable software instructions andthe hardware processor is structural. In other words, the instructionsper se are a series of symbols or numeric values. They do notintrinsically convey any information. It is the processor, which bydesign was preconfigured to interpret the symbols/numeric values, whichimparts meaning to the instructions.

The algorithms used herein may be configured to execute on a singlemachine at a single location, on multiple machines at a single location,or on multiple machines at multiple locations. When multiple machinesare employed, the individual machines may be tailored for theirparticular tasks. For example, operations requiring large blocks of codeand/or significant processing capacity may be implemented on largeand/or stationary machines.

In addition, certain embodiments relate to tangible and/ornon-transitory computer readable media or computer program products thatinclude program instructions and/or data (including data structures) forperforming various computer-implemented operations. Examples ofcomputer-readable media include, but are not limited to, semiconductormemory devices, phase-change devices, magnetic media such as diskdrives, magnetic tape, optical media such as CDs, magneto-optical media,and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and performprogram instructions, such as read-only memory devices (ROM) and randomaccess memory (RAM). The computer readable media may be directlycontrolled by an end user or the media may be indirectly controlled bythe end user. Examples of directly controlled media include the medialocated at a user facility and/or media that are not shared with otherentities. Examples of indirectly controlled media include media that isindirectly accessible to the user via an external network and/or via aservice providing shared resources such as the “cloud.” Examples ofprogram instructions include both machine code, such as produced by acompiler, and files containing higher level code that may be executed bythe computer using an interpreter.

The data or information employed in the disclosed methods and apparatusis provided in a digital format. Such data or information may includesensor data, building architectural information, floor plans, operatingor environment conditions, schedules, and the like. As used herein, dataor other information provided in digital format is available for storageon a machine and transmission between machines. Conventionally, data maybe stored as bits and/or bytes in various data structures, lists,databases, etc. The data may be embodied electronically, optically, etc.

In certain embodiments, algorithms for implementing functions and usesdescribed herein may be viewed as a form of application software thatinterfaces with a user and with system software. System softwaretypically interfaces with computer hardware and associated memory. Incertain embodiments, the system software includes operating systemsoftware and/or firmware, as well as any middleware and driversinstalled in the system. The system software provides basicnon-task-specific functions of the computer. In contrast, the modulesand other application software are used to accomplish specific tasks.Each native instruction for a module is stored in a memory device and isrepresented by a numeric value.

Integrated Environmental Monitoring and Control

As described hereinabove, the presently disclosed techniques contemplatea network of digital architectural elements (DAE's) capable ofcollecting a rich set of data related to environmental, occupancy andsecurity conditions of a building's interior and/or exterior. Thedigital architectural elements may include optically switchable windowsand/or mullions or other architectural features associated withoptically switchable windows. Advantageously, the digital architecturalelements may be widely distributed throughout all or much of, at least,a building's perimeter. As a result, the collected data may provide ahighly granular, detailed representation of environmental, occupancy andsecurity conditions associated with much or all of a building's interiorand/or exterior. For example, many or all of the building's windows mayinclude, or be associated with, a digital architectural element thatincludes a suite of sensors such as light sensors and/or cameras(visible and/or IR), acoustic sensors such as microphone arrays,temperature and humidity sensors and air quality sensors that detectVOCs, CO2, carbon monoxide (CO) and/or dust.

In some implementations, automated or semi-automated techniques,including machine learning, are contemplated in which the building'senvironmental control, communications and/or security systemsintelligently react to changes in the collected data. As an example,occupancy levels of a room in a building may be determined by lightsensors cameras and/or acoustic sensors, and a correlation may be madebetween a particular change in level of occupancy and a desired changein HVAC function. For example, an increased occupancy level may becorrelated with a need to increase airflow and/or lower a thermostatsetting. As a further example, data from air quality sensors that detectlevels of dust may be correlated with a need to perform buildingmaintenance or introduce or exclude outside air from interior spaces. Inone use case scenario for example, dust levels in a room were observedto rise when the occupants were moving about the room, and to declinewith the occupants were seated. In such a scenario, a determination maybe made that floor coverings need to be serviced (mopped, vacuumed). Inanother use case scenario, measured interior air-quality may be observedto (i) improve or (ii) degrade when a window is opened. In the case of(i), it may be determined that air circulation ducts or filters of anHVAC system should be serviced. In the case of (ii) it may be determinedthat exterior air-quality is poor, and that windows of the buildingshould preferentially be maintained in a closed position. In yet afurther use case scenario, a correlation may be drawn between the numberof occupants in a conference room, and whether doors and/or windows areopen or closed, with Co2 levels and/or rate of change of Co2 levels.

More generally, the present techniques contemplate measuring a pluralityof “building conditions”, and controlling “building operationparameters” of a plurality of “building systems” responsive to themeasured building conditions, as illustrated in FIG. 6 . As used herein,a “building condition” may refer to a physical, measurable condition ina building or a portion of a building. Examples include temperature, airflow rate, light flux and color, occupancy, air quality and composition(particulate count, gas concentration of carbon dioxide, carbonmonoxide, water (i.e., humidity)). As used herein, a “building system”may refer to a system that can control or adjust a building operationparameter. Examples include an HVAC system, a lighting system, asecurity system, a window optical condition control system. A buildingoperation parameter may refer to a parameter that can be controlled byone or more building systems to adjust or control a building condition.Examples include heat flux from or to heaters or air conditioners, heatflux from windows or lighting in a room, air flow through a room, andlight flux from artificial lights or natural light through an opticallyswitchable window.

Referring still to FIG. 6 , a method 600 may include collecting inputs,block 610, from a plurality of sensors. Some or all of the sensors maybe disposed on or associated with a respective window and/or with arespective digital architectural element associated with a window and/orwith a digital wall interface. The sensors may include visible and/or IRlight sensors or cameras, acoustic sensors, temperature and humiditysensors and air quality sensors, for example. It will be appreciatedthat the collected inputs may represent a variety of environmentalcondition measurements that are temporally and spatially diverse. Insome implementations, at least some of the inputs may include acombination of sensors. For example separate sensors, specialized forrespective measurements of CO₂, CO, dust and/or smoke may becontemplated, and a combination of inputs from the separate sensors maybe analyzed (block 620) for determination of air-quality control. As afurther example, inputs relevant to a determination of occupancy levelsin a room collected from separate sensors that measure, respectively,optical and acoustic signals may be analyzed (block 620). As a yetfurther example, inputs may be received, nearly simultaneously, fromspatially distributed sensors. For example, the sensors may be spatiallydistributed with respect to a given room or distributed between multiplerooms and/or floors of the building.

In some implementations, analysis of the measured data at block 620 maytake into account certain “context information” not necessarily obtainedfrom the sensors. Context information, as used herein may include timeof day and time of year, and local weather and/or climatic information,as well as information regarding the building layout, and usageparameters of various portions of the building. The context informationmay be initially input by a user (e.g. a building manager) and updatedfrom time to time, manually and/or automatically. Examples of usageparameters may include a building's operating schedule, and anidentification of expected and/or permitted/authorized usages ofindividual rooms or larger portions (e.g., floors) of the building. Forexample, certain portions of the billing may be identified as lobbyspace, restaurant/cafeteria space, conference rooms, open plan areas,private office spaces, etc. The context information may be utilized inmaking a determination as to whether or how to modify building operationparameter, block 630, and also for calibration and, optionally,adjustment of the sensors. For example, based on the contextinformation, certain sensors may, optionally, be disabled in certainportions of the building in order to meet an occupant's privacyexpectations. As a further example, sensors for rooms in which aconsiderable number of persons may be expected to congregate (e.g., anauditorium) may advantageously be calibrated or adjusted differentlythan sensors for rooms expected to have fewer occupants (e.g., privateoffices).

An objective of the analysis at block 620 may be to determine that aparticular building condition exists or may be predicted to exist. As asimple example, the analysis may include comparing a sensor reading suchas a light flux or temperature measurement with a threshold. As afurther, more sophisticated example, when an occupancy load in a roomundergoes a change (because, for example, a meeting in a conference roomconvenes or adjourns) the analysis at block 620 may, first, directlyrecognize the change as a result of inputs from acoustic and/or opticalsensors associated with the room; second, the analysis may predict anenvironmental parameter that may be expected to change as a result of achange in occupancy load. For example, an increase in occupancy load canbe expected to lead to increased ambient temperatures and increasedlevels of CO₂. Advantageously, the analysis at block 620 may beperformed automatically on a periodic or continuous basis, using modelsor other algorithms that may be improved over time using, for example,machine learning techniques. In some implementations, the analysis maynot explicitly identify a particular building condition (or combinationof conditions) in order to determine that a building operation parametershould be adjusted.

Referring again to block 630 a determination as to whether or how tomodify building operation parameter may be made based on the results ofanalysis block 620. Depending on the determination, the buildingcondition may or may not be changed. When a determination is made to notmodify building operation parameter the method may return to block 610.When a determination is made to modify a billing for operationparameter, one or more building conditions may be adjusted, at block640, for purposes of improving occupant comfort or safety and/or toreduce operating costs and energy consumption, for example. For example,lights and/or HVAC service, may be set to a low power condition in roomsthat are determined to be unoccupied. As a further example, adetermination may be made that a fault or issue has arisen that requiresattention of the building's administration, maintenance or securitypersonnel.

The determination may be made on a reactive and/or proactive basis. Forexample, the determination may react to changes in measured parameters,e.g., a determination may be made to increase HVAC flowrates when a risein ambient CO₂ is measured. Alternatively or in addition, thedetermination may be made on a proactive basis, i.e., the buildingoperation parameter may be adjusted in anticipation of an environmentalchange before the change is actually measured. For example an observedchange in occupancy loads may result in a decision to increase HVACflowrates whether or not a corresponding rise in ambient CO₂ ortemperature is measured.

In some implementations, the determination may relate to buildingoperation parameters associated with HVAC (e.g., airflow rates andtemperature settings), which may be controlled in one or more locationsbased on measured temperature, CO₂ levels, humidity, and/or localoccupancy. In some implementations the determination may relate tobuilding operation parameters associated with building security. Forexample, in response to an anomalous sensor reading, a security systemalarm may be caused to trigger, selected doors and windows may be lockedor unlocked, and/or a tint state of all or some windows may be changed.Examples of security-related building conditions include detection of abroken window, detection of an unauthorized person in a controlled area,and detection of unauthorized movement of equipment, tools, electronicdevices or other assets from one location to another.

Other types of security-related building condition information caninclude information related to detection of the occurrence of thedetection of sound outside and/or within the building. In oneembodiment, the detected sound is analyzed for type of sound. In someembodiments, analysis is initiated via hardware, firmware, or softwareonboard to one or more digital structural element or elsewhere in abuilding, or even offsite. In some embodiments, sound outside or insideof a building causes conductive layers deposited on window glass of anelectrochromic window to vibrate, which vibrations cause changes incapacitance between the conductive layers, and which changes ofcapacitance are converted into a signal indicative of the sound. Thus,some windows of the present invention can inherently provide thefunctionality of a sound and/or vibration sensor, however, in otherembodiments, sound and/or vibration sensor functionality can be providedby sensors that have been added to windows with or without conductivelayers, and/or by one or more sensors implemented in digital structuralelements.

In one embodiment, an originating location of sound can be determined byanalyzing differences in sound amplitude and/or sound time delays thatdifferent ones of sound and or vibration sensors experience. Types ofsound detected and then analyzed include, but are not limited to: brokenwindow sounds, voices (for example, voices of persons authorized orunauthorized to be in certain areas), sounds caused by movement (ofpersons, machines, air currents), and sounds caused by the discharge offirearms. In one embodiment, depending on the type of sound detected,one or more appropriate security or other action is initiated by one ormore system within the building. For example, upon a determination thata firearm has been discharged at a location outside or inside of abuilding, a building management system makes an automated 911 call tosummon emergency responders to the location.

In the case of sound generated by a firearm inside of a building,knowing the precise location (for example, room, floor, and buildinginformation) of the sound as well as the shooter who generated the soundis essential to a proper emergency response. However, in buildings withlarge open space floor plans and/or hallways, textual positionalinformation that requires reference to a particular building's floorplan may delay the response. Rather than just textual positionalinformation, in one embodiment visual positional information isprovided. Visual positional information of sound can be provided byinstalled camera system, if so equipped, but in one embodiment, isprovided by causing the tint state of one or more window determined tobe the closest to sound generated by the firearm or the shooter to bechanged to a distinctive tint state. For example, in one embodiment,upon sensing of a sound of interest, a tint of a tintable window closestto the sound of interest is caused to change to a tint that is darkerthan the tint of windows that are farther away from the sound, or viceversa. In this manner, if responders were unable to quickly be able tolocate a particular room on a particular floor of a particular building,they might to be able to do so by visually looking for a window that hasbeen distinctively tinted to be darker or lighter than other windows.

In one embodiment, a current location of a person associated with aparticular sound may be different from their initial location, in whichcase, their change in location can be updated via detection of othersounds or changes caused by the person to the environment. For example,in the case of an active shooter situation, gas sensors in digitalarchitectural elements or other predetermined locations can be used tomonitor changes in air quality caused by the presence of explodedgunpowder, and to thereby provide responders with updates as to locationof the shooter. Sound and other sensors could also be used to obtain thelocation of persons trying to quietly hide from and active shooter (forexample, via infrared detection of their location). In one embodiment,to confuse an active shooter, sounds can be generated by speakers indigital architectural elements or other speakers in the shooterslocation to distract the shooter, or to mask noises made by hostagestrying to hide from him. In one embodiment, speakers and/or microphonesin digital architectural elements or other devices could be selectivelymade active to communicate with persons trying to hide from an activeshooter. Apart from causing the tint of one or more windows to be madedistinctive to help identify the location of sound, in some embodiments,the distinctive tint of the windows may need to be changed to some othertint, for example to provide more light to facilitate one or morepersons entry or egress from a particular location or to provide lesslight to hinder visibility in a particular location.

Referring still to FIG. 6 , at block 640, one or more buildingparameters may be modified responsive to the determination made at block630. The building parameter modification may be implemented under thecontrol of a building management system in some embodiments, and may beimplemented by one or more of the building's systems such as HVAC,lighting, security, and window controller network, for example. It willbe appreciated that the building parameter modification may beselectively made on a global (building-wide) basis or localized areas(e.g. individual rooms, suites of rooms, floors, etc.),

As mentioned, a building system that determines how to modify buildingoperation parameters may employ machine learning. This means that amachine learning model is trained using training data. In certainembodiments, the process begins by training an initial model throughsupervised or semi-supervised learning. The model may be refined throughon-going training/learning afforded by use in the field (e.g., whileoperating in a functioning building). Examples of training data(building conditions interplay with one another and/or with buildingoperations parameters) include the following combinations of sensed orcontext data (X or inputs) and building operation parameters or tags (Yor output): (a) [X=occupancy (as measured by IR or camera/video),context, light flux (internal+solar); Y=ΔT/time (without cooling)]; (b)[X=occupancy (as measured by IR or camera/video), context; Y=ΔCO₂/time(with nominal ventilation)]; and (c) [X=occupancy (as measured by IR orcamera/video), context, temperature, external relative humidity (RH);Y=ΔRH/time (with nominal ventilation)]. Part of the purpose of machinelearning is to identify unknown or hidden patterns or relationships, sothe learning typically uses a large number of inputs (X) for eachpossible output (Y).

In some embodiments, execution of the process flow illustrated in FIG. 6may be facilitated by provisioning digital architectural elements with asuite of functional modules for the collection and analysis ofenvironmental data, communications and control. FIG. 7 illustrates anexample of a suite of such functional modules, according to animplementation. In the illustrated embodiment, a digital architecturalelement 700 includes a power and communications module 710, anaudiovisual (A/V) module 720, an environmental module 730, acompute/learning module 740 and a controller module 750.

The power and communications module 710 may include one or more wired orwireless interfaces for transmission and reception of communicationsignals and/or power. Examples of wireless power transmission techniquessuitable for use in connection with the presently disclosed techniquesare described in U.S. provisional patent application No. 62/642,478,entitled WIRELESSLY POWERED AND POWERING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS, filedMar. 13, 2018, international patent application PCT/US17/52798, entitledWIRELESSLY POWERED AND POWERING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS, filed Sep. 21,2017, and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/962,975, entitled WIRELESSPOWERED ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS, filed Dec. 8, 2015, each assigned to theasset any of the present application, the contents of which are herebyincorporated by reference in their entirety into the presentapplication. The power and communications module 710 may becommunicatively coupled with and distribute power to each of theaudiovisual (A/V) module 720, the environmental module 730, thecompute/learning module 740 and the controller module 750. The power andcommunications module 710 may also be communicatively coupled with oneor more other digital architectural elements (not illustrated) and/orinterface with a power and/or control distribution node of the building.

The A/V module 730 may include one or more of the A/V componentsdescribed hereinabove, including a camera or other visual and/or IRlight sensor, a visual display, a touch interface, a microphone ormicrophone array, and a speaker or speaker array. In some embodiments,the “touch” interface may additionally include gesture recognitioncapabilities operable to detect recognize and respond to non-touchingmotions of a person's appendage or a handheld object.

The environmental module 730 may include one or more of theenvironmental sensing components described hereinabove, includingtemperature and humidity sensors, acoustic light sensors, IR sensors,particle sensors (e.g., for detection of dust, smoke, pollen, etc.),VOC, CO, and/or CO₂ sensors. The environmental module 730 mayfunctionally incorporate a suite of audio and/or electromagnetic sensorsthat may partially or completely overlap the sensors (e.g, microphones,visual and/or IR light sensors) described above in connection with A/Vmodule 730. In some embodiments, a “sensor” as the term is used hereinmay include some processing capability, in order, for example, to makedeterminations such as occupancy (or number of occupants) in a region.Cameras, particularly those detecting IR radiation can be used todirectly identify the number of people in a region. Alternatively inaddition, a sensor may provide raw (unprocessed) signals to thecompute/learning module 740 and/or to the controller module 750.

The compute/learning module 740 may include processing components(including general or special purpose processors and memories) asdescribed hereinabove for the digital architectural element, the digitalwall interface, and/or the enhanced functionality window controller.Alternatively or in addition, it may include a specially designed ASIC,digital signal processor, or other type of hardware, includingprocessors designed or optimized to implement models such as machinelearning models (e.g., neural networks). Examples include Google's“tensor processing unit” or TPU. Such processors may be designed toefficiently compute activation functions, matrix operations, and/orother mathematical operations required for neural network or othermachine learning computation. For some applications, other specialpurpose processors may be employed such as graphics processing units(GPUs). In some cases, the processors may be provided in a system on achip architecture.

The controller module 750 may be or include a window control moduleincorporating one more features described in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 15/882,719, filed Jan. 29, 108, entitled CONTROLLER FOROPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS, U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/449,251, filed Apr. 17, 2012, entitled “CONTROLLER FOROPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS”, International Patent Application No.PCT/US17/47664, filed Aug. 18, 2017, entitled “ELECTROMAGNETIC-SHIELDINGELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS”, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/334,835,filed Oct. 26, 2016, entitled “CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLEDEVICES” and International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/61054, filedNov. 10, 2017, entitled “POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS FOR ELECTROCHROMICDEVICES”, each assigned to the assignee of the present application andhereby incorporated by reference into the present application in theirentireties.

For clarity of illustration, FIG. 7 presents the digital architecturalelements 700 as incorporating separate and distinct modules 710, 720,730, 740 and 750. It should be appreciated however that two or moremodules may be structurally combined with each other and/or withfeatures of the digital wall interface described hereinabove. Moreoverit is contemplated that, in a building installation including a numberof digital architectural elements, not every digital architecturalelement will necessarily include all the described modules 710, 720,730, 740 and 750. For example in some embodiments one or more of thedescribed modules 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750 may be shared by aplurality of digital architectural elements.

FIG. 8 illustrates an example physical packaging of a digitalarchitectural element, according to some implementations. As may beobserved in FIG. 8 , it is contemplated that the functionality of thedescribed modules 710, 720, 730, 740 and 750 may be configured in aphysical package having a size and form factor that can be readilyaccommodated by an architectural feature such as a typical windowmullion.

Trunk Line for a High-Speed Network Infrastructure

An ever increasing use and implementation of Internet of Things (JOT)devices requires communications networks that are capable of supportingtheir data throughput. In the contest of previously constructedbuildings, existing installed network infrastructures are increasinglybeing found to be incapable of supporting this data throughput.Implementation or retrofitting of a building network infrastructureaccording to the present invention enables higher speed communicationbetween many more devices than has previously been possible.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate representations of a trunk line for a high-speednetwork infrastructure, according to some implementations. Referringfirst to FIG. 9A, in one embodiment, a high-speed network infrastructure900 a is implemented with at least one trunk line 901 that includes atleast one trunk line segment 902 and at least one or more circuits 903.As described in more detail below, one or more of circuits 903 may bedisposed in or otherwise associated with a respective digitalarchitectural element. In some embodiments, network 900 a is configuredto transfer signals to, and/or from devices at a throughput of 500 Mbps,1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, 10 Gbps, for example, as envisioned by MoCA 2.0, MoCA2.0 bonded, MoCA 2.5, and MoCA 3.0 respectively.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, in one embodiment, network infrastructure 900b comprises a serial connection of trunk line segments 902 that aredaisy chained together, where one end of a first segment 902(1) coupledto a control panel (CP), 920 and a second end of the first segment902(1) is coupled via a trunk line circuit 903 to a second segment902(i). In one embodiment, the second segment 902(i) comprises two ormore conductors (in the illustrated example, 902(2) and 902(3). In oneembodiment, some or all of the trunk line segments 902 include a twistedpair of conductors configured to transfer power signals. In oneembodiment, the DC power signals comprise CLASS 2 power signals. In oneembodiment, ends of at least one segment 902 comprise RF connectors 905.In one embodiment, RF connectors 905 comprise F-type connectors.

In one embodiment, each trunk line circuit 903 is configured to passsignals between two trunk line segments 902, and is further configuredto couple signals between the segments and a connector 908. In oneembodiment, at least one trunk line circuit 903 includes connector 908,at least one connector 906 configured to mate with a connector 905 at anend of a segment 202, and at least one connector 907 configured to matewith power signals carried by conductors 902(2,3). In one embodiment,connector(s) 906 are or include F-type connectors configured to matewith connectors 905 of segments 902; and connector(s) 907 comprises atleast one fastener, for example, but not limited to, terminal block typefasteners configured to secure conductive ends of conductors.

In one embodiment, the trunk line circuit 903 includes one or morepassive circuits. Referring now to FIG. 9C, in the illustratedembodiment, the trunk line circuit 903 includes a directional couplercircuit 909 coupled to a bias tee circuit 940. In one embodiment, thedirectional coupler 909 is proximate to a first conductor 911 andincludes a second conductor 912. Where the first conductor 911 isconfigured to conduct signals between segments 902, signals on the firstconductor 911 are inductively coupled to the second conductor 912. Inone embodiment, the bias T circuit 940 includes an inductor 941 and acapacitor 942, where a first end of the inductor 941 is coupled to theconnector 907 and a second end of the inductor 941 is coupled to thecapacitor 942 and to the connector 908. In one embodiment, a powersignal at the connector 207 is combined by bias T circuit 940 withsignals provided by the directional coupler circuit 909, and thecombined signals are coupled by the bias T circuit 940 to the connector908. In one embodiment, the connector 908 is or includes an RFconnector. In one embodiment, the connector 908 is or includes an F-typeconnector. In one embodiment, the connector 908 is coupled to a dropline 913 that may be configured to transfer both power and highspeed/high bandwidth data signals to one or more devices 914. In oneembodiment, the drop line 913 is or includes a coaxial cable conductor.

In one embodiment, the high-speed network 900 is installed on, or in, abuilding under construction. In some embodiments, at least a portion ofa network 900 is installed on or in structural elements of a buildingbefore a building is released for occupancy, for example, structuralelements such as unfinished or exposed interior and exterior facingwalls, ceilings, and/or floors. In some embodiments, at least a portionof a network 200 is installed during, or after, installation of anelectrical infrastructure of a building under construction. In otherembodiments, one or more portions of a network 900 are installed beforeor during installation of windows of a building under construction.Early installation of a network 900 before final finish work iscompleted enables previously unavailable functionality to be madeavailable during construction of a building. In one embodiment, wherewindows are installed concurrently with, or after, installation of anetwork 900, parts, or all, of the processing power of the networkand/or windows can be made available to contractors and other on-sitepersonnel. For example, in one embodiment, where windows comprised of adigital display screen technology are installed concurrently with, orafter, installation of a network 900, electronic versions ofconstruction blueprints can be made available for display on the displayscreens to on-site architects and contractors.

Further, during or after construction, it is known that certainmaterials in buildings may interfere or block transmission of certainfrequencies, which blocking can interfere with devices whose operationrelies upon such frequencies. For example, it is known that metallicstructures that may be present in interior and/or exterior walls of abuilding (for example, but not limited to metallic girders and metallicwindow glass coatings) can interfere with the operation of certainwireless devices. Such devices comprise but are not limited to, cellphones, IOT devices, 5G, and mm Wave enabled devices. In one embodiment,the trunk line 901 is configured to comprise, or to be connected to, oneor more device such as a transceiver, antenna and/or signal repeater toobviate such blocking. Appropriate placement of the one or moretransceiver, antenna, and/or signal repeater in, or on, structures ofthe building can be used facilitate communications across and aroundsuch structures. In one embodiment, during or after construction of abuilding, one or more transceiver, antenna and/or signal repeater iscoupled a trunk line 901 to facilitate communication between devicesinside the building. In one embodiment, one or more transceiver,antenna, and/or signal repeater is positioned within a buildingaccording to its connection to and/or routing of trunk line 901. Forexample, in one embodiment, during or after construction, a trunk line901 is installed on, or in, exterior walls of a building, andtransceivers, antennas and/or signal repeaters are provided as part of,or separate from, one or more trunk line circuits 903. In oneembodiment, routing of trunk line 901 along an exterior of the buildingcan be used to improve wireless connectivity to devices present outsidethe building. In embodiments, one or more architectural element cancomprise a transceiver, antenna and/or signal repeater. In oneembodiment, a transceiver, antenna and/or signal repeater can beprovided in, or on, a window or window frame. In one embodiment,transceivers, antennas and/or signal repeaters can be coupled to thetrunk line 901 via the drop line 913, or via a connection to the trunkline 901 at some other point along the trunk line. In one embodiment,one or more of a transceiver, an antenna and/or a signal repeater islocated on an external wall or roof or a building, and the trunk line901 is coupled to the transceiver, antenna and/or signal repeater.

Trunk Line—Drop Line Interface

FIG. 10 shows an example power and data distribution system thatincludes s control panel, trunk lines, drop lines, and digitalarchitectural elements, according to some embodiments. In the embodimentdepicted in FIG. 10 , a control panel 1020 provides power and data tomultiple digital architectural elements 1030.

Conductors (power insert lines) 1002(2), power injectors 1070, and powersegments 1090 are provided to carry electrical power from the controlpanel 1020 to the digital architectural elements 1030. Powerdistribution systems, including trunk lines, power inserts, and powerinjectors are discussed in PCT Application Publication No. 2018/102103,filed Nov. 10, 2017 (P085X1WO), which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

In certain embodiments, the power insert lines and the power segmentsinclude one or more twisted pair conductors such as pairs of 12 or 14AWG conductors. In one example, one or both of these types of currentcarrying lines contains two pairs of 2×14 AWG conductors. In certainembodiments, one or both of these types of power carrying cables isdesigned for class 2 electrical power (e.g., <4 Amps and <30 Volts DC).

In the depicted embodiment, power from the control panel 1020 isdelivered to bias tees 1040 first via power insert lines 1002(2), andthen from power injectors 1070, and finally via power segments 1090. Thebias tees 1040 couple power and data into drop lines 1013 connected tothe multiple digital architectural elements 1030.

In the depicted embodiment, data is provided between the control panel1020 (or more specifically, for example, a master controller or networkcontroller provided in the control panel) and the multiple digitalarchitectural elements 1030. Data is carried from cables 1002(1), whichare connected to the control panel 1020, to directional couplers 1009,bias tees 1040, and finally the drop lines 1013.

In certain embodiments, the data carrying cables 1002(1) and the droplines 1013 are coaxial cables. In certain embodiments, one or both ofthese coaxial cables are RG6 coaxial cables. As explained elsewhereherein, the system may include hardware and/or software logic fordelivering high bandwidth data over coaxial cables. In certainembodiments, the system employs components configured to deliver datausing one or more of the MoCA standards.

In various embodiments, data from the control panel is delivered toindividual ones of the multiple digital architectural elements 1030 bytapping off some of the carrier signal from the data carrying cables1002(1) using directional couplers 1009. As an example, a directionalcoupler may direct a small fraction of the data signal from the datacarrying cable 1002(1), and direct the extracted signal toward a biastee. As an example, a data signal received at a directional coupler hasa first signal strength, and the digital coupler extracts a smallportion of the signal for the bias tee and allows a signal of slightlyreduced strength to continue downstream toward the next directionalcoupler.

Upstream data from the digital architectural elements 1030 passesthrough the drop lines 1013 to the bias tees 1040 and directionalcouplers 1009, and finally onto the data carrying cables 1002(1) fordelivery to the control panel 1020 (or often more precisely to a networkor master controller within a control panel). Directional couplers 1009such as those depicted in this example system direct certain data inonly one direction. For example, upstream data from the digitalarchitectural elements 1030 passing through the directional couplers1009 is directed only upstream, toward the control panel 1020 on thedata carrying cables 1002(1).

In the example of FIG. 10 , any one or more of the digital architecturalelements 1030 may include any one or more of the modules or may provideone or more of the functions described elsewhere herein. For example,although for clarity of illustration the directional couplers 1009 andthe bias tees 1040 are shown outside a respective digital architecturalelement 1030, it is contemplated that in some embodiments at least somedigital architectural elements 1030 will include a respectivedirectional coupler 1009 and/or a respective bias tee 1040. In certainembodiments, at least one of the digital architectural elements 1030lacks sensors, audio, and/or video capabilities. For example, a digitalarchitectural element 1030 may include only communications capabilitiessuch as Wi-Fi, cellular, and/or wired network capabilities.

In some cases, one or more of the digital architectural elements containa module or other component for controlling one or more electricallytintable windows. In some cases, a digital architectural elementcontains or communicates with one or more window controllers. To thisend, one or more of the digital architectural elements may include acomponent such as a gateway to implement controller area network (e.g.,CANbus) functionality. In some such cases, the system depicted in FIG.10 may have CANbus cabling provided over trunk lines or othercomponents.

In FIG. 10 and other figures depicting systems containing digitalarchitectural elements, it should be understood that the digitalarchitectural elements may be substituted with other digital elementsproviding any one or more functions that provide control, processing,communications, and/or sensing. For example, any digital architecturalelement may be substituted by a digital wall controller, an enhancedfunctionality window controller, or the like

FIG. 11 illustrates a schematic illustration of an example of a trunkline circuit similar to that described above in connection with FIG. 9C.In the illustrated example, the trunk line circuit contains acombination of features of both a directional coupler 1109 and a biastee circuit 1140, which may be referred to as a multiport coupler ortrunk tee. In the depicted example, the directional coupler 1109 isproximate to first conductor 1111 that includes an upstream segment(inlet) 1111(i) and a downstream segment (outlet) 1111(o). Conductor1111 may be coupled with segments of a trunk line (e.g. segment 902 ofFIGS. 9 c and 1002(i) of FIG. 10 . The directional coupler 1109 includessecond conductor 1112 that is inductively coupled with first conductor1111. In the illustrated example, the directional coupler provides a tapline 1150 for data signals extracted from the first conductor 1111. Incertain embodiments, a directional coupler includes two parallelconductive elements (e.g., two copper traces). These are depicted as (i)the first conductor 1111 that connects two portions of a coaxial orother data carrying line (not illustrated), and (ii) the secondconductor 1112 that is a directional finger. Through inductive coupling,signal from the main data carrying line is tapped or extracted for otheruse; in this case it is provided to a bias tee circuit 1140. Among otherparameters, the relative length of directional finger along the path ofthe continuous conductive element and separation distance between thesetwo conductive elements dictates the strength of the data carryingsignal that is tapped.

As an example, a data signal arrives at a directional coupler from acontrol panel, and the arriving signal (at 1111(i)) has signal strengthof 25 dB. The directional coupler is configured to extract a fraction ofthe signal (e.g., 2 dB) and allow the remaining 23 dB of signal (at1111(o) to continue its journey downstream (away from the control panel(not illustrated)), and toward, e.g., the next directional coupler (notillustrated).

Tap 1150 may deliver data at a relatively low signal strength (bycomparison to signal on first conductor 1111 to bias tee circuit 1140.As shown, bias tee circuit 1140 has a structure including an inductiveelement 1141 coupled to a source of power (e.g., a power segment such asa segment 1090) and a capacitive element 1142 on a link between thedirectional coupler 1109 and a node connecting to the inductive element1141.

In operation, the bias tee circuitry 1140 may receive data as an RFsignal over a coaxial cable from the directional coupler 1109 andcombines it with DC power from a separate power source. It sends thecombined signal on a drop line 1113 for downstream transmission to adevice 1114, which may be digital architectural element (e.g., digitalarchitectural element 1030 of FIG. 10 ) or other digital element, and/ora window controller and/or an electrically tintable window (e.g., in anIGU). The power provided to the bias tee 1140 (and particularly theinductive element 1141) may come from any of various sources. In someembodiments, it is provided via cabling originating at a control panel(e.g., cabling of a power insert line such as a line 1002(2) or a powersegment such as a segment 1090). In some embodiments, it is provided viaa storage battery, a storage capacitor, or other form of energy well(not illustrated). In certain embodiments, a combination trunk teecircuit includes both a power line cable and an energy well. Working inconcert under appropriate control logic, these two power sources canprovide for load leveling, backup power, and the like in powerdistribution system.

In an optional embodiment depicted in FIG. 11 , device 1114 isconfigured as a digital architectural element that includes a bias teecircuit 1160 for accepting the data and power provided via the drop line1113. AC power from the drop line 113 is directed on a first circuit legto a power supply of the digital architectural element and data isdirected to a different leg for processing at a block 1161.

In certain embodiments, a combination trunk tee circuit includes atleast five ports: (i) an input data port for receiving data from anupstream source (e.g., a control panel), (ii) an output data port fortransmitting data to downstream trunk tee circuits (and ultimatelydownstream processing units such as other digital architecturalelements), (iii) an input power port for receiving power from a powersource (e.g., a control panel), (iv) an output power port fortransmitting unused power downstream to other devices that consumepower, and (iv) a drop line port for transmitting tapped data and powerto device such as a digital architectural element on the drop line. Incertain embodiments, ports (i), (ii), and (iv) contain connectors forcoaxial cables, while ports (iii) and (iv) contain connectors fortwisted pair cables.

In certain embodiments, a directional coupler such as directionalcoupler 1109 within trunk tee 1103 contains a control or adjustmentfeature such as a mechanically or electrically controllable knob or dialfor controlling or adjusting the coupling between the traces or otherconductive elements contained in the directional coupler. For example,the control or adjustment feature may provide control over the relativepositions and/or overlapping lengths of the traces, thereby permittingdifferent degrees of signal coupling.

Depending where the directional coupler is deployed in thecommunications network (close to the control panel or terminus orsomewhere in between), the directional coupler may require differentdegrees of signal coupling. An adjustable mechanism may permit differentdegrees of signal coupling appropriate for different positions on thecommunications network.

In certain embodiments, a trunk line connects to a control panel andcarries both data and power lines. For example, a trunk line may carrythe power insert lines 1002(2) and the data carrying cables 1002(1) fromcontrol panel 1020 in the system of FIG. 10 .

FIG. 12 depicts a cross section of an example trunk line 1200 configuredto carry combination of power and data from and/or data, to a controlpanel. Trunk line 1200 has conductors and shielding for carrying powerand data for both a general purpose network protocol (e.g., Ethernet)and a control area network, e.g., the CANbus protocol. As shown in FIG.12 , trunk line 1200 includes an outer jacket 1210, which may be orinclude an insulator. In the depicted example, the outer jacket enclosesan internal coaxial cable 1220 (e.g., RG6 coaxial) for high bandwidthdata communication, two large gauge twisted pair cables 1230 (e.g., 14AWG unshielded twisted pair cables) for high wattage electrical powerdelivery, and a CANbus shielded multi-conductor cable 1240 forinteracting with, e.g., window controllers, sensors, and the like. Ofcourse, many of these features can be generalized such as, for example,the number of twisted pair conductors, the gauge of the conductors, andeven the type of data carrying cable (e.g., non-coaxial line such asoptical fiber). In certain embodiments, the CANbus cable includes twodata conductors that are a twisted pair, with an overall shield (e.g., afoil shield) over the pair, and two power conductors. The two powerconductors may be just a single wire and a drain wire (bare wire, noinsulation) that electrically connects to the overall shield.

FIG. 13 shows an example of a portion of a data and power distributionsystem having a digital architectural element (such as a “smart frame”or similar communications/processing module) 1330 coupled by way of adrop line 1313 with a combination module 1380 that includes adirectional coupler 1389 and a bias tee circuit 1384. The drop line 1313may carry both power and data downstream, to the DAE 1330, and carriesdata from the DAE 1330 upstream, to a control panel (not shown). Datafrom a control panel (or other upstream source) may be provided via acoaxial cable input port 1381. This data is provided to the directionalcoupler 1389 of combination module 1380. The directional coupler 1389extracts some of the data signal and transmits it on a line 1382, whichmay be a cable, an electrical trace on a circuit board, etc., dependingon the design of the combination module 1380. Data from the controlpanel that is not tapped off by the combination trunk tee exits via acoaxial cable output port 1383.

Line 1382 connects to the bias tee circuit 1384 in the combinationmodule 1380. Two twisted pair conductors (or other power carrying lines)1385(1) and 1385(2) are also connected to the bias tee circuit 1384.With these connections, the bias tee circuit couples the power and dataonto drop line 1313, which may be a coaxial cable. The digitalarchitectural element or other communications/processing element 1330may, as depicted, include and/or connect to components for cellularcommunication (e.g., the illustrated antenna) and cellular or CBRSprocessing logic 1335 that. The processing logic 1335, in someembodiments, may be 5G-compatible. In certain embodiments, the digitalarchitectural element or other communications/processing element 1330,as depicted, provides a CANbus gateway that provides data and power toone or more CAN bus nodes such as window controllers, which control tintstates of associated optically controllable windows.

In certain embodiments, during construction of a building, modules suchas the combination module 1380 illustrated in FIG. 13 may be installedliberally throughout the building, including at some locations wherethey are not initially connected to digital architectural elements orother processing/communications modules. In such embodiments, thecombination trunk tees may be used, after construction, to installdigital processing devices, as needed by the building and/or tenants orother occupants.

Digital Architectural Elements

FIGS. 14, 15, and 16 present block diagrams of versions of a digitalarchitectural element, a digital wall interface, or similar device. Forconvenience, the following discussion will refer to a digitalarchitectural element (DAE). FIG. 14 illustrates a DAE 1430 that cansupport multiple communications types, including, e.g., Wi-Ficommunications with its own antenna 1437. Alternately or in addition theDAE 1430 may include or be coupled with cellular communicationsinfrastructure such as, in the illustrated embodiment, a base bandradio, an amplifier, and an antenna. Similarly, while not explicitlyshown here, digital architectural element 1530 may support a citizen'sband radio system (CBRS) employing a similar base band radio. From acommunications and data processing perspective, the digitalarchitectural element in this figure has the same general architectureas the full-featured digital architectural element. But it does notinclude a sensor and perhaps not ancillary components such as a display,microphone, and speakers.

In some embodiments, digital architectural elements support a modularstyle sensor configuration that allow for individual upgrade andreplacement of sensors via plug and play insertion in a backbone typecircuit board having a set of slots or sockets. In one embodiment,sensors used in the digital structural elements can be installed normalto the backbone in one of a multitude of slots/sockets standardized formaximum flexibility and functionality. In some embodiments, the sensorsare modular and can be plug and play replaced via removal and insertionthrough openings in housing of the digital architectural elements.Failed sensors can be replaced or functionality/capabilities can bemodified as needed. In one embodiment where digital architecturalelements are installed during a construction phase of aproject/building, use of plug and play sensors allows customization ofdigital architectural elements with one or more sensors that may not beneeded when the project/building is ready for occupancy. For example,during construction, sensors could be installed to track constructionassets within the site or monitor for unsafe (OSHA+) noise or airquality levels and/or a night camera could be installed to monitormovement on a construction site when the site would normally beunoccupied by workers. As desired or needed, after construction, theseor other sensors could be removed, and quickly and easily replaced orsupplemented during an occupancy phase, or at a later phase, whenupgraded or sensors with new capabilities were needed or becameavailable.

FIG. 15 illustrates a system 1500 of components that may be incorporatedin or associated with a DAE. The system 1500 may be configured toreceive and transmit data wirelessly (e.g., Wi-Fi communications,cellular communications, citizens band radio system communications,etc.) and to transmit data upstream and receive data downstream via,e.g., a coaxial drop line. In FIG. 15 , elements of the system 1500 arepresented at a relatively high level. The embodiment illustrated in FIG.15 includes circuits that serve a similar function to the combinationmodule 1380 (described above in connection with FIG. 13 ) at theinterface of the trunk line and the drop line, specifically, a module1580 including a bias tee circuit 1584 takes power and data fromseparate conductors (trunk line) and puts them on one cable (a drop line1513). Thus, for downstream transmission, a coaxial drop line maydeliver both power and data to a MoCA interface 1590 of a digitalarchitectural element on the same conductors.

As illustrated, the system 1500 includes the bias tee circuit 1584coupled by way of the drop line 1513 to a MoCA interface 1590. The MoCAinterface 1590 is configured to convert downstream data signals providedin a MoCA format on coaxial cable (the drop line in this case) to datain a conventional format that can be used for processing. Similarly, theMoCA interface 1590 may be configured to format upstream data fortransmission on a coaxial cable (drop line 1513). For example,packetized Ethernet data may be MoCA formatted for upstream transmissionon coaxial cable.

In the illustrated example, a DC-DC power supply 1501 receives DCelectrical power from the bias tee circuit 1584 and transforms thisrelatively high voltage power to a lower voltage power suitable forpowering the processing components and other components of digitalarchitectural element 1530. In certain implementations, power supply1501 includes a Buck converter. The power supply may have variousoutputs, each with a power or voltage level suitable for a componentthat it powers. For example, one component may require 12 volt power anda different component may require 3.3 volt power.

In some approaches, the bias tee circuit 1584, the MoCA interface 1590,and the power supply 1501 are provided in a module (or other combinedunit) that is used across multiple designs of a digital architecturalelement or similar network device. Such a module may provide data andpower to one or more downstream data processing, communications, and/orsensing devices in the digital architectural element. In the depictedembodiment, a processing block 1503 provides processing logic forcellular (e.g., 5G) or other wireless communications functionality asenabled by a transmission (Tx) antenna and associated RF power amplifierand by a reception (Rx) antenna and associated analog-to-digitalconverter. In certain embodiments, the antennas and associatedtransceiver logic are configured for wide-band communication (e.g.,about 800 MHz-5.8 GHz). Processing block 1503 may be implemented as oneor more distinct physical processors. While the block is shown with aseparate microcontroller and digital signal processor, the two may becombined in a single physical integrated circuit such as an ASIC.

While the embodiment depicted in FIG. 15 provides separate transmit andreceive antennas, other embodiments employ a single antenna fortransmission and reception. Further, if a digital architectural elementsupports multiple wireless communications protocols such as one or morecellular formats (e.g., 5G for Sprint, 5G for T mobile, 4G/LTE for ATT,etc.), it may include separate hardware such antennas, amplifiers, andanalog-to-digital converters for each format. Further, if a digitalarchitectural element supports non-cellular wireless communicationsprotocols such as Wi-Fi, citizen's band radio system, etc., it mayrequire separate antennas and/or other hardware for each of these.However, in some embodiments, a single power amplifier may be shared byantennas and/or other hardware for multiple wireless communicationsformats.

In the depicted embodiment, the processing block 1503 may implementfunctionality associated with communications such as, for example, abaseband radio for cellular or citizens band radio communications. Insome cases, different physical processors are employed for eachsupported wireless communications protocol. In some cases, a singlephysical processor is configured to implement multiple baseband radios,which optionally share certain additional hardware such as poweramplifiers and/or antennas. In such cases, the different baseband radiosmay be definable in software or other configurable logic.

FIG. 16 illustrates an example of a system 1600 of components that maybe incorporated in or associated with a digital architectural element.As shown, the system 1600 includes a bias tee circuit 1684 that may workas described above (e.g., similar to bias tee circuit 1584 in FIG. 15 ).Data from the bias tee circuit 1684 is provided to a MoCA front endmodule 1690 that works in conjunction with at least a portion ofprocessing block 1640 (for example, a coaxial network controller systemon a chip such as the MxL3710, available from MaxLinear, Inc. ofCarlsbad, California) to provide high speed data to one or morecomponents of the system 1600.

Power from the bias tee circuit 1584 (e.g., 24 V DC) is provided to oneor more voltage regulators in power supply 1601, at least some of whichmay collectively serve the functions of power supply 1501 in FIG. 15 andprovide power to various components of processing block 1640. Theprocessing block 1640 may include, as generally represented at block1642, a general purpose microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digitalsignal processor, and integrated circuits of which some or all maycontain multiple cores or embedded processors having various processingcapabilities. In certain embodiments, processing block 1640 serves thefunctions of processing block 1503 in FIG. 15 . As an example,processing block 1640 may provide CANbus functionality for one or morewindow controllers.

In the illustrated example, processing block 1640 includes a networkswitch 1643 which may be, for example a five-port Ethernet switch suchas the SJA1105 available from NXP Semiconductors of the Netherlands).MoCA encoded data arriving from the MoCA front end may be decoded toprovide data in conventional Ethernet format. That data may then beprovided to the network switch, where it may be distributed to variousdata processing components of the system 1600.

In an embodiment, a modular electrical connector 1604 such as theillustrated RJ45 connector may provide data for any purposes an occupantor building owner might have, e.g., a user laptop or data centerconnection. In one example, connector 1604 provides a connection forgigabit Ethernet via twisted pair copper wire.

Block 1610 of FIG. 16 includes examples of additional components notillustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 15 . In certain embodiments, theseare provided together in a single chassis or case or are otherwiseprovided as a module. In other embodiments, they are provided separatelyand each may be integrated in a digital architectural element. As shown,block 1605 includes a sensor module 1611, a video module 1612, an audiomodule 1613, and window controller elements, including window controllerlogic 1614 and window controller power circuits 1615. In certainembodiments, some or all of the functionality of window controller 1614may be implemented in processing block 1640, thereby minimizing oreliminating a requirement for a separate logic element such as windowcontroller logic 1614.

In some embodiments, 5G infrastructure may replace both Wi-Fi and 4G viaa single service protocol and associated infrastructure. For example,one or more 5G antennas and associated components in a region of abuilding may provide wireless communications functionality that servesall needs, effectively replacing the need for Wi-Fi. In certainembodiments, a digital architectural element employs a citizens bandradio system (CBRS), which does not require separate license from theFCC or other regulatory body.

CONCLUSION

In the description, numerous specific details were set forth in order toprovide a thorough understanding of the presented embodiments. Thedisclosed embodiments may be practiced without some or all of thesespecific details. In other instances, well-known process operations werenot described in detail to not unnecessarily obscure the disclosedembodiments. While the disclosed embodiments were described inconjunction with the specific embodiments, it will be understood thatthe specific embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosedembodiments.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a plurality of sensorsystems, each sensor system comprising: a housing, at least one sensordisposed in the housing, at least one processor disposed in the housing,and a network interface, wherein the plurality of sensor systems areconfigured to operate as a mesh network using the network interface andthe at least one processor of each sensor system.
 2. The system of claim1, wherein the plurality of sensor systems are configured to transmitand receive communications from occupants of a building in which each ofthe sensor systems are disposed.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein theat least one processor of each sensor system is configured to performambient computing operations.
 4. The system of claim 1, wherein eachsensor system further comprises an antenna disposed within the housing,wherein the antenna is configured for transmitting and/or receivingcellular communications signals.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein thecellular communications signals comprise: 4G cellular communicationssignals, 5G cellular communications signals, or LTE cellularcommunications signals or any combination thereof.
 6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein each sensor system further comprises at least oneantenna configured for transmitting and/or receiving wireless signalsthat abide by a BLUETOOTH or WI-FI protocol.
 7. The system of claim 1,wherein the sensor system is configured to receive a signal thatincludes a combination of power and data.
 8. A system for high-bandwidthcommunications, the system comprising: a plurality of control panels,each control panel of the plurality of control panels configured tocontrol at least one downstream device, and each control panelcomprising: at least one controller, and a plurality of data ports,wherein each of the data ports of the plurality of data ports isconfigured to support transmission of data of a speed of at least 0.5Gigabits per second; and a high-bandwidth data backbone operativelycoupling the plurality of control panels.
 9. The system of claim 8,wherein the high-bandwidth data backbone is configured to transmit dataat a speed of at least 10 Gigabits per second.
 10. The system of claim8, wherein at least two control panels of the plurality of controlpanels are configured to control devices on different floors of abuilding.
 11. The system of claim 8, wherein the at least one downstreamdevice is a window controller configured to control at least oneoptically switchable device.
 12. The system of claim 8, wherein acontrol panel of the plurality of control panels is operatively coupledto the at least one downstream device via a coaxial cable.
 13. Thesystem of claim 8, further comprising a network switch communicativelycoupled to the plurality of control panels, wherein the network switchis configured to support transmission of data of a speed of at least 0.5Gigabits per second.
 14. The system of claim 8, wherein one controlpanel further comprises a network switch communicatively coupled to theplurality of control panels, wherein the network switch is configured tosupport transmission of data of a speed of at least 0.5 Gigabits persecond.
 15. A system, comprising: a control panel; a plurality of windowcontrollers operatively coupled to the control panel; a plurality ofoptically switchable devices, each optically switchable deviceoperatively coupled to a window controller of the plurality of windowcontrollers; a trunk line that that couples the control panel to eachwindow controller of the plurality of window controllers, wherein thetrunk line transmits data and power to each window controller; and aplurality of sensor systems, each sensor system comprising a pluralityof sensors housed within a housing of the sensor system, and each sensorsystem disposed on a structural element of a building in which theplurality of optically switchable devices are installed, or on a framingcomponent of an optically switchable device of the plurality ofoptically switchable devices.
 16. The system of claim 15, wherein thetrunk line is configured to transmit sensor data from each of theplurality of sensor systems to the control panel.
 17. The system ofclaim 16, wherein the sensor data is utilized by a controller todetermine modifications to one or more building operations parameters.18. The system of claim 17, wherein the modifications to the one or morebuilding operations parameters comprise a modification to a tint stateof at least one optically switchable device of the plurality ofoptically switchable devices.
 19. The system of claim 17, wherein thecontroller is external to the building.
 20. The system of claim 17,wherein the system comprises at least one additional control panel,wherein the at least one additional control panel is operatively coupledto a second plurality of window controllers.